I’ve got some good news! For those of us who often feel we aren’t the smartest person in the room, we can still be a person of real and lasting influence. Whether it is our kids, our staff, or our circle of friends we want to influence, most of us would like to be able to have a positive effect on these people and influence them for God and for good.

Dr. Richard Blackaby recently wrote on being a person of influence, sharing some important points and some examples from the life of his father and my spiritual mentor, Dr. Henry Blackaby. “My father, Henry, was a shy, introverted Canadian. But God used him to exert enormous influence on others.”

Richard points out that we are inundated with those who want to influence us on a daily basis.

“Political candidates constantly vie for people’s attention. Social media has provided a forum in which anyone can pontificate about their views, regardless of how misguided they might be. People clamor for attention and, at times, go to great lengths to obtain it. People often make outrageous or eye-catching statements on social media for no other apparent reason than to capture people’s attention for a few brief moments.”

People often sought out the godly wisdom Dr. Henry Blackaby shared, and with that wisdom came great influence. I was one among many who asked for guidance from this man who, though shy and certainly with his flaws, spoke wisdom into the hearts of kings, presidents, and top CEOs. A man of influence.

What does it take to have such impact? Richard Blackaby lists these items as key for a person desiring to have godly influence.

  • Have something of value to say. – Modern society mistakenly assumes all opinions are equally valuable. This presumption is patently ridiculous…. How do you become someone who has something to say? Study. Think. Prepare. Too many people want the prestige of influence without paying the price to earn it.
  • Refrain from speaking when you have nothing of value to contribute. – The author of Proverbs sagely declares, “Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.” (Prov. 17:28 NKJV). It is humbling to acknowledge that we may never appear more profound than when we say nothing.
  • Always tell the truth, regardless of how unpopular. – Sadly, in today’s politically correct climate, people frequently say things that are patently untrue but politically correct. In corporate America, people are tempted to say what management wants to hear rather than what they need to hear. If you always tell the truth, you may not always be popular, but your opinions will carry weight.
  • Be discerning. – Influential people have an uncanny sense of timing. Jesus warned His followers to beware of casting pearls before swine (Matt. 7:6). There is no point in sharing precious truth with someone who will only despise it. Better to wait until the time is ripe and the audience is open.
  • Be Spirit-led. – The apostle Paul exhorted, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit…” (Eph. 5:15-18 NKJV).

Richard Blackaby concludes his thoughts on being a person of influence with these words.

“In the confusing, divisive time in which we live, we need God to grant us the maximum influence possible, not for our sake but for the benefit of the people around us who need to hear God’s wisdom.”

Do you want to make an eternal difference in the lives of those around you? God’s wisdom outlasts and outperforms anything man may have to offer from a human perspective. Share His wisdom and you will find that your life has a greater influence than you thought ever possible.

God’s best,