I have seen exemplary believers who have an attractive lifestyle and a soul free of conceit. Their personality is so infectious that when you get closer to them, you get inspired and encouraged. Their words and ideas carry heavy glory and full of insights. They are rare to find. If they are around, however, their presence is undeniable. Their lifestyle and conviction is a solution to a problem, unlike some whose personality is a problem to an already existing problem. Such healthy believers’ contribution is valuable. They sacrifice their personal interest for the betterment of others. Their ultimate quest is to gain others for Christ and help them to be better than what they are. Their life is more than what they say and their action is more than their words. Manipulation and deceit do not have any part in their life. God rewards and honors such believers and pours his favor out in their life. God protects them and prepares a blessing in front of their enemies.

LEADERSHIP IS AN INFLUENCE JOHN C MAXWELL

John Maxwell, in one of his books, defines leadership as an INFLUENCE. This definition reminds me the first letter Apostle Paul has written to Corinthians in chapter 5. This scenario simply reveals how important a Spirit filled believers is. In the story, there was a report of immorality circulating among the believers of Corinthians. Though they were whispering about it to each, no one was bold enough to try to confront the problem. Paul, the apostle, said something that made me pause for a moment. He told them that they boast for vain rather than mourning about such a serious and very evident moral issue. While he was physically absent, he addressed the problem in a bold and plain approach. They were complacent and reluctant to deal with the problem which happened right among them. What they failed to address while it was unfolded in front of their eyes, Paul dealt with it from far away. Though he was absent, his influence felt right in their midst. Isn’t that pure, heavenly and healthy influence?

It is natural to ask questions like where were the leaders? weren’t they aware about such a serious problem? did they ignore or try to deny it as if it did not happen? did they prefer to keep silent not to offend anyone? Why did the believers boasted or glorified with the richness of God’s gifts and God’s grace operating among them but failed to deal such serious problem? Paul had to step in to deal with the problem while he was physically absent shows that how powerful his spiritual influence was. On the other hand, the passivity of the believer shows how insensitive they were to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. What makes the incident even more shocking is the believers were arrogant that they were boasting and glorifying. They did not realize that their life was sour like an old leaven, which is full of malice and wickedness. ( 1 Cor 5:8)

The presence of a believer who is sensitive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and bold enough to execute God’s thoughts makes big difference.

While pointing at the people of Corinthians, it is vital to reflect back to our own. The whole point of raising this incident is to learn something out of it. The issue we are facing could be immorality, quarrel and enmity, unfaithful husband/wife, power abuse, money corruption, false accusation, division, conflict of interest and so on. In such a corrupted atmosphere, a believer with healthy influence is crucial. The presence of a believer who is sensitive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and bold enough to execute God’s thoughts makes big difference. A believe who lives for truth with love is one who died for self and wholeheartedly live for the glory of God. What does boasting and glorifying avail while a problem is getting exacerbated, ruining the unit of believers, and above all grieving the Holy Spirit? As believers, we need to equip ourselves with God’s holy words and empowered by the Spirit to deal with whatever problem arises in a right and timely manner. Above all, having a character unleavened by self interest and fear of rejection is a requirement to be an influential believer.

Above all, having a character unleavened by self interest and fear of rejection is a requirement to be an influential believer.