| Credibility, trustworthiness, trust, confidence in another, | | | | because they perceive an advantage if they purchase. |
| whatever you want to call it, must first and foremost | | | | Bosses have a non-verbal power of giving and taking |
| be established in our individual lives in order for us to be | | | | away but only God has the ultimate power to reward |
| effective in our works. The question here is, can | | | | and punish (Matthew 10:27-28). |
| someone who aspires to be a leader, establish | | | | Good teaching has at least three elements that can |
| credibility in such a short time? | | | | establish instant credibility. One, if you know the law |
| According to Anthony Grasha, credibility is a process | | | | and can teach people legitimate and proven ideas |
| of interpersonal influence. Before one can influence | | | | extensively; you have both expert and legitimate |
| another, he must present his credentials and have | | | | power. |
| those credentials respected by the people he wants | | | | Legitimate power can only come from God. He is the |
| to influence. There are five credentials or powers to | | | | only power and His word has the power to save your |
| influence people; they are: expert power, referent | | | | soul (John 12:48). Knowing the law of God and proven |
| power, legitimate power, reward power, and coercive | | | | techniques of life (expert power) gives your audience |
| power. | | | | confidence in your ability and moral fiber. There is no |
| 1. EXPERT POWER is the mastery of knowledge | | | | better way to influence others than to know God's |
| above and beyond that of the average person. A | | | | Word. Paul told Timothy, "Until I come, devote yourself |
| person's mastery of his environment falls into this | | | | to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to |
| realm. If a man faces his future with confidence, does | | | | teaching...be diligent in these matters; give yourself |
| his work accordingly, and without a slip or stumbling, he | | | | wholly to them, so that everyone may see your |
| may develop expert influence among his people. The | | | | progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. |
| more confidence they have in his ability, the more they | | | | Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save |
| will listen to him and allow him to persuade them. | | | | both yourself and those who listen to you" (1 Timothy |
| 2. REFERENT POWER is simply being friends with the | | | | 4:13-16). |
| people. People are more likely to listen to someone | | | | If you know God's Word and speak boldly with love in |
| who listens to them and cares about them. Visiting | | | | your heart for the lost, you have the most powerful of |
| people in their homes or offices may be a burden to | | | | all combination - expert, legitimate, and referent power. |
| some people, but it wins friends and influence. In his bid | | | | Speaking boldly (1 Peter 4:11; Acts 9:27; 13:46; 1 |
| to overthrow King David, Absalom had men to run in | | | | Thessalonians 2:2), with a sincere heart (2 Peter |
| front of his chariot (legitimate power - this is how the | | | | 1:16-21) has a power beyond that of lecturing like the |
| king paraded his power), he would call to the people | | | | Pharisees (Matthew 7:28-29). Consumed by a love for |
| coming into town and ask their business with the king | | | | God and His children does something to a speaker; it |
| (referent power) and the Bible records, "He stole the | | | | transforms him from an ordinary speaker to a |
| hearts of the people" (2 Samuel 15:1-8). In four short | | | | spokesman for God and the people. Not that he has |
| years, Absalom was influential enough to call together | | | | any miraculous leading by God as some have |
| thousands to witness his anointing ceremony. | | | | concluded; but he has a burning desire to teach the |
| 3. LEGITIMATE POWER is the power of position. The | | | | truth and lead by showing example. |
| President, the Governor, the Mayor, even the | | | | If a man who aspires to be a leader presents his |
| Policeman have influence over people because of their | | | | words and character with love for his hearers and |
| position. A person's position in the society affords him | | | | watchers, a relationship will develop that will lead the |
| some influence. If he uses his power of influence very | | | | determined to respect and obey him. Most people, |
| well, the people will respect, obey and listen to him. | | | | while speaking to influence others, use illustrations, |
| 4. REWARD POWER and COERCIVE POWER are | | | | jokes, and antidotes to warm up the people and there |
| the powers to reward and punish. While Pilate told | | | | can be no denial of its effect. If being friends is what |
| Jesus, "Do you refuse to speak to me? Don't you | | | | needs to be done, then tell the best jokes you can find |
| know I have the power either to free you (reward | | | | and be sincere in your actions. People need more out |
| power) or to crucify you (coercive power)?" | | | | of verbal promises than a trusted friend. |
| He was trying to persuade Jesus to cooperate with | | | | To summarize, if you want credibility as a person, you |
| using his power to reward and power to punish. Jesus | | | | must know the Book, you must live the Book, you |
| did not fear the powers of Pilate because they were | | | | must speak boldly from your heart - be sincere, and |
| given to him by God (John 19:1-11). In many ways the | | | | you must be compelled by your love of God and the |
| power to reward and the power to punish (coercive | | | | people to act. You will be surprised how well people |
| power) are perceptions and not actual. People enter | | | | will listen or believe in you, when you prepare well and |
| sweepstakes and purchase books and magazines | | | | love well. |