People Of Influence Have This.

1 Sam. 24:7-10 - David persuaded his men with these words and did not allow them to rise up against Saul. And Saul arose, left the cave… David arose and went out of the cave and called after Saul, saying, "My lord the king!" And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the ground …. 9 David said to Saul, "Why do you listen to the words of men, saying, 'Behold, David seeks to harm you'? 10 " Behold, this day your eyes have seen that the LORD had given you today into my hand in the cave, and some said to kill you, but my eye had pity on you; and I said, 'I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD'S anointed.'    NASU 

• They Have A Way With Words 

People of influence have a way with their words. They are able to lead by what they say. David is the leader and you can see his leadership ability as he PERSUADED his men with his words.
 
When you think of a leader that you know personally I am sure they said something that resonates within your mind from time to time.
 
President Reagan in my mind was a leader and who can forget the influence he had with these words: "General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"
 
Two years later Mr. Gorbachev opened the gate and had the wall torn down. That my friends is leadership, that my friends is influence. 

• David Was The Influencer 

Leaders are able to influence those around them. David influenced his men in two ways. First, he would not allow them to persuade him to kill King Saul. They were trying to convince David that this was God's plan and he should kill the king. They would not succeed in convincing David to take King Saul's life.
 
Real leaders have a plan they believe in and will stick with it regardless of the opposition. They are not willing to be persuaded to change their plan even by those closest to them when they are fully convinced of their plan being the correct one.
 
David proves to King Saul that other people are lying about him and that he is not the King's enemy.
 
In the cave David cuts off a piece of the king's robe. Then once Saul leaves the cave David goes out and calls to the king. Bowing down before him to show respect he shows him the piece of his robe and says, If I were trying to kill you, you would be dead, but those who say I am your enemy are lying and this proves it.
 
David not only influenced his men he has an influence on King Saul. Look what Saul says, in 1 Sam. 24:16-17 - Then Saul lifted up his voice and wept. 17 He said to David, "You are more righteous than I; for you have dealt well with me, while I have dealt wickedly with you. 

• Leaders Influence In Non-Traditional Ways 

David influenced his men again I am sure when he said, I am going out there and show the king I mean him no harm.
 
Now there isn't any scripture to support my thoughts here and I am not teaching it as truth or doctrine. I am merely speculating when I say I believe David influenced his guys once again when he said, I am going out there and talk with the king. You don't have to agree with me on this point, but at least consider it.
 
Can you hear those men? David you must be crazy. Have you lost your mind? You should have killed him when you had the chance but no you didn't want to do what every other leader would have done. (What about you- Would you have killed King Saul in the cave, if you had been in David's sandals?)
 
Saul wants to kill you. He has brought a 3,000 man army out to find us. We are stuck in a cave with no possible way to escape and you want to go out and speak with the king. He is a certified mad man and you know it. We are all going to die.
 
David, please rethink what you are about to do.
 
Psalm 57 is a prayer of David's while he was in a cave. Was it this cave on this day? I don't know but what I do know is David completely believed God would answer his prayers and rescue him from the caves where he and his men have been hiding.
 
David as I mentioned earlier goes out and addresses the king and the king rides home in shame. This my friends is Non-Traditional leadership at its best. You have a plan and you work that plan regardless of the opposition to that plan.

• Are You A Leader? 

If you answered, yes, that you are a leader then answer this question: Are you influencing others? A leader will influence others. Lets be leaders for Christ and influence others for our Leader.
 
Think on These:
 
Example isn't the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing.
 
A good leader inspires men to have confidence in him; a great leader inspires them to have confidence in themselves.

Stay Pumped,

Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word