Genesis 1:26 “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over ^[g]all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” God said ‘let them have dominion’.

 

Influence in the context of my discuss in this article is a function of dominion and dominion is a function of light; But light is ultimately an expression of life. The Bible says “In Him was life and the life became the light of men.” This verse points us to three factors that characterize dominion and influence. Way, truth and life. Jesus said I am the way, the truth and the life. So, dominion is about knowing Jesus, and beholding Him. And as we do that, we know His ways and not His acts, transforming from one level of glory to another.

 

So, a man who will be a positive influence to his generation is a man who knows the way, the truth and the life. This is why it is difficult for the blind to lead the blind. But if at all it happens, then there is an end which I like call the ditch experience; also known as darkness. This is why a world that gropes in darkness require a Leadership or Leaders that are light by default.

 

The emphasis of this article is to bring to our consciousness that the goal is not just to have dominion even though that is God’s ultimate plan for man, but to sustain the dominion that has been received from God. So, this discuss is a little shift in experience from having been created in the image and likeness of God, i.e.  having received the breath of the almighty that makes one a living being, and having received dominion across territories, domains and dimensions; to what must you and I then do in order to sustain that dominion so that we do not fall just as Adam and Eve fell?

 

I am sure you would agree with me that it is one thing to receive a gift, it is another thing to maintain and sustain that which you have received. Take for example the gift of salvation; Apostle Paul said work out your salvation with fear and trembling. So, there is a place or responsibility on our part to work it out. But this working out cannot be done by us but by our permission for the Holy Spirit to work it out in us. Hence, every gift of God requires that there is a connection to God in order to sustain that gift. So, Gods desire for each and every man is to have dominion, to carry His glory, and to become a person of influence; not just for a while but that it should continue to grow bigger, larger and better; well refined in its demonstration and operation so that the glory can return back to the Father.

 

Apostle Paul charged Timothy to fan to flame the gifts, the graces which he has received through the laying on of hands. Timothy was given the gift but here apostle Paul admonished him that for the gift to keep burning, for effectiveness, he has the responsibility to fan it to flame. This means that if the gifts must burn, it is because there is a deliberate attempt by the bearer of that gift to fan it. How do we fan it? The Bible says; the path of the just is as of a shining light; it shines brighter and brighter unto the perfect day.

 

So, if our light will shine brighter and brighter, if the flame will continue to burn, it is because we are fanning it. What is the use of a bulb without batteries? The bulb must be connected to a source in order to shine. How does this connection which ultimately produce light happen? There is something called the path of the just. And the focus of this article is to point some of those pathways. So, the path does not shine brighter and brighter for everybody. The question is; are you part of the just?

 

So, dominion could begin with salvation and obtaining the gift of righteousness, talking about right standing with God. But it doesn’t stop there, although God became a man so that all men through faith can become like a god on the earth. There are requirements we must fulfill on our paths so that the experience we have in God will perpetuate. So, how does this relate to Leadership?

 

Although Leadership is about influence, but not all Leaders can influence or are influencing. And the reason why influence does not drop on our laps like ripe pawpaw is because we have to be in dominion in order to influence. An electric bulb may have the potential and capacity to glow. But as long as it does not shine it is not in dominion. It could be in a dark room and no one would know where it is placed. But as soon as it is connected to a source of power; your guess is as good as mine. So, dominion of the bulb becomes palpable when darkness cannot comprehend the intensity of the brightness of the electric bulb.

 

So, influence is important for Leadership, and it is possible to lead and not be of influence, how does a Leader maximize and sustain influence? Maximizing influence is by first having the understanding and consciousness that will be discussed as you proceed on this read.

 

Influence and dominion are basically a function of consecration. What is consecration? Consecration according to Romans 12:1 is about presenting your bodies as a living sacrifice wholly and acceptable unto God which is our reasonable service. It talks about habits, lifestyle and heart posture not conforming to systems, wisdom and way of operation of this world. Consecration is a function of obedience to series of instructions, precepts and ordinances put in place by God for the believer to follow in order to sustain the dominion given to him by God. A deviation from this is a plunge to a Leadership without influence.

 

In Genesis 2 verse 16-17, God instructed or commanded Adam saying “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; ¹⁷ but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat.” When you take a second look at this verse you will see the word that says “of every” This gives us an insight into the categories of trees that were in the garden. God began with “every tree” so it means that these ones are edible. Then it says “but of the tree of knowledge of”. So, there is a tree that produces knowledge of good and also the knowledge of evil. This one should not be eaten. Then look at verse 8-9 of chapter 2 of Genesis, you will think what happened from verse 15 to verse 17 is repetition or replay of what happened in verse 9. It says; “And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”

 

Again, I noticed in this verse “every tree” that was in the garden was pleasant to the sight and good for food. But in verse 15-17. God said although they are pleasant to the sight and food for food, not all of them are edible. So, in chapter 3 verse 6 it says; So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was ^[a]pleasant to the eyes. This is why we must behold the tree of life. Bible says looking unto Jesus. So, there was another kind of tree which is called the tree of life. It says “the tree of life was also in the midst of the garden.” This is why discernment and consecration are intertwined. And the balance factor between the two is self-control. While there are many trees in the garden, there is also a tree in the midst of the garden.

 

Consecration says it must be the tree of life; discernment says this is where the tree of life is located or can be found or this is not the tree of life. It helps you to distinguish. Your ability and capacity to harness these two and put a balance puts you on the path of sustaining your influence and dominion. So, light is powered by life which ultimately translates in influence.

 

Having built this background or understanding, what are the consciousness a Leader should have in order to sustain influence.

 

#. Number One:  Be cautious when you speak and be courteous when you speak and also be conscious of who you speak to. Eve fell because she entered into a conversation with a serpent.  The first talks about what you are saying, the second talks about how you are saying what you are saying. And they are all encapsulated in the word called love.  This means that the demand placed on a Leader is to speak words in season. Not arrogantly but in confidence; filled with grace and power.

 

The disciples of Jesus asked themselves; Did our hearts not burn while He spake unto us? Peter replied Jesus in a certain place saying; You have the words of eternal life. So, the words Jesus spoke were spirit and life. This is why a Leader of influence should be conscious of the fact that words build broken men, and words can break built men. So, let our words build men, let it bring glad tidings of great joy. Let it be seasoned with grace, let it encourage and motivate, let it be Spirit birthed and faith driven.  

Light, strength and hope can be gotten when we speak words with this consciousness. The words of Jesus were not ordinary words. His words has the capacity to set one upon his feet.  

 

#. Number Two: Discernment. What is discernment? Discernment is simply the ability to judge well. Ability to see what is not seen by others or what is not heard by others. Jesus functioned in this dimension. He said my judgements are true the reason is because He sees what His Father does and He hears what His Father says. A discerning Leader is a Leader that does not judge with the seeing of the eyes and the hearing of the ears.

 

Discernment is what makes us know what is good, what is acceptable, and what is the perfect will of God. This is a function of light. This is an important instrument or tool for influence. Bible says in 2 Chronicles 12:32 concerning the sons of Issachar, it says they are 200 they had the understanding of the times and season and their brethren were under their command.  It is discernment that helps you to know the things that make for your peace.

Discernment helps you to know what to do and what to say and how to say it. And those who know what to do will be Leaders over those who do not know what to do. This is influence.

 

#. Number Three: Grow in your capacity to solve problems and be willing to solve problems. It is one thing to have capacity to solve problems but the willingness is another thing. Don’t be part of the problems in the society, don’t create problems, be a relief, a solution to someone. Be a burden bearer, add value to people's life. What this means is that when people encounter you, they should encounter solutions.

 

How do you grow capacity to solve problems?

Never stop learning. Influence is powered by knowledge. And the extent to which you can influence is to the degree of how much light you access through knowledge. And the process to which knowledge is transferred is called learning. What is learning? Who you will become and the extent of your influence is a function of two factors:

1. What are you learning?

2. With whom are you learning what you are learning?

3. Are you applying what you are learning?

Be a follower of the way. The way through which there is a combination of what you are learning, from whom you are learning what you are learning and the practical application of what you are learning is through the process called followership. The Bible says in Psalm 36 verse 9. “For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.”  

 

The one who knows the way should be followed. And if the one who knows the way is followed a safe destination is sure but a matter of time.  The gift of influence is first activated by who you follow and what you are learning from who you are following. And until you follow, you cannot be followed. When Jesus gives you a gift of dominion and says follow me: the influence is not in the gift, the influence is in your followership. Greatness, dominion or influence is not a desire or a thing that should be admired, it is a particular point where you have journey to attain and inherit the promises of God for you. Every human desire to become great but what are the pathways I must discover? Not just discover but walk in in order to reach the desired goal. It is following.

 

 

#. Number Four: Hate lawlessness and stand for the truth. And this is possible when you have a transformed mind. It is the transformed mind that fights conformity. Hating lawlessness is a stand to resist compromise. It is often said that if you don’t stand for something, you will fall for everything. This is the solution and antidote for bandwagon effect, fear of rejection, and being ridiculed. To hate lawlessness means to be disciplined and unwavering while standing for what you believed, for what you are convinced and persuaded about concerning the things that could transgress the commandments of God. You don’t have to follow the trend, be the one to create the trend. Be different don’t flow with the trends even if you are the only one on the Lords side.

 

Samuel didn't flow with the life style of Hophni and Phinehas even though they were all serving in the courts of God. That is a typical example for hate of lawlessness. Never be afraid to stand out, the three Hebrew brothers found themselves in a situation where everyone in a nation complied to the directives of the king but because they wanted to honour God, they stood out. Bible says because you have hated lawlessness and loved righteousness therefore the Lord your God has anointed you. So, as much as you desire influence, do you hate lawlessness? You are easily carried away by the band wagon effect. Bible says we should not be conformed to this world but be transformed.

The following factors, they will help in these regards:

• Discover what is unique about you.
• Embrace what is unique about you; Don’t think or assume that you are odd.
• Deploy your Uniqueness and be consistently committed to this deployment.

 

#. Number Five:  Identify little foxes that has the capacity to spoil your vine. This is the process of removing weights and sin that easily beset. This has to do with crossing your T's and dotting your I's. Another word for it is perfection. If we will be perfect just as our Father in heaven is perfect, then becoming fully conscious of the things that has the capacity to undermine our future is very important. What are little foxes? They are whatever thing that has the capacity to make you stumble. What are the examples of little Foxes? They could be attitude issues and character. And what is the Solution? It is simply to improve deliberately. Working out your salvation with fear and with trembling. Living the life of faith and not by sight, having being crucified with Christ and knowing that the grace of God is available to live above sin and weaknesses. Hence apostle Paul said sin has no dominion over me. So, therefore Let no man trouble me for I bear in my body the Mark's of Christ.

 

This is the reason why he will say I put my body under subjection, so that I will remain relevant in the assignment and purpose of God, so that i will not be a cast away and so that i will faithfully accomplish the task of the Father.  I pray that the God of all grace will make His grace sufficient and available for us all in Jesus name. Amen.

Thanks for the gift of your time, I am Apeh Francis Abah!

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