Victorious Living
Coercive Power
The second type of power is coercive power. This is the power to influence people through fear of punishment. Parents use this all the time. The threat of time-out is a great motivator for good behavior.
The Bible says the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. We’re taught not to fear those who can harm us physically, but he who can harm our eternal souls.
When people see the possibility of a negative consequence, it can serve to influence their behavior. Although it can be a very slippery slope, much like all the powers, it can be an effective way to keep people out of harm and guide them to more fruitful living.
Reward Power
In a very similar vein, reward power is the ability to positively reinforce someone. We can influence others through the promise of affirmation, affection, or a prize.
As we are consistent about following through with our proposed rewards, we gain more influence over others.
If this all sounds pretty simple, it’s because it is. The problem comes when we use these opportunities for influence improperly. We can turn all five of these powers for good or for evil. The temptation to use these powers to manipulate toward our selfish ends is real and prevalent. Equally significant is the possibility to brandish these powers for positive change in our world.
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