The Power Of Persuasion
In an earlier post, I posed the thought-provoking question, “When Does Knowledge Become Powerful?” Here’s one reason why I suggested that knowledge is not power.
“Theory Without Practice Is Powerless.”
May this brief quote continue to challenge each of us to shift our paradigm about a popular phrase that we’ve heard systematically propagated and charismatically articulated by powerful, persuasive people in prominent positions of influence until we honestly believed it. Click on the word, paradigm, to view various definitions and explanations about this term. Our generational, traditional beliefs may or may not be totally true. The truth that makes people free when mixed with the lie that enslaves free people becomes a “true lie.” What is the true lie that’s still hindering our God-given ability to overcome the persuasive power of our slave mentality? Think about it.
A true lie contains just enough truth for it to appear to become believable. Nevertheless, upon first glance, looks can be deceiving. A true lie became the persuasive tool the “original down low brother” employed to deceive Adam’s most valuable resource, Eve, until both began to doubt the veracity of God’s infallible word. The father of lies also used the power of persuasion to set the perpetual force of yet another true lie in motion that separated generations of women and men who hated to love each other for more than one night. Think about it.
It’s my honest belief that the “deceitful prince of darkness” still appears to all God’s children as a “beautiful angel of light.” What do you believe? According to the great fall of the first family as recorded in Chapter 3 of Genesis, it was Adam’s responsibility, not Eve’s, to obey God’s word. Click on the highlighted word “Genesis” for another insightful person’s perspective that amply illustrates the eternal consequences of our “choices.” As evidenced by the first family’s defiant act of disobedience, Adam’s lack of leadership skills and Eve’s unwise choice made both vulnerable to the persuasive power of a true lie that fed their slave mentality. After your great fall, what true lie did you hear that birthed your deepest fear during all those “dark days and lonely nights when all appears lost?” As you now know, looks can be deceiving.
Quick question before we close this meeting of our critically thinking minds today. What’s the difference, if any, between a “first impression” and a “prejudicial presumption” based upon a false belief? I suggest that there is no discernible difference. Why? Minus the persuasive empirical evidence needed to verify the veracity of our hasty judgments, neither can accurately determine the content or the strength of one’s character. Do you agree or disagree? Think about it.
In the meantime, challenge yourself to take a closer look at the truth that can make great people like us with great weaknesses like ours free from the persuasive power of our self-defeating slave mentalities. Can it be that yet another true lie is responsible for driving the wedge that emotionally divided the blended, extended family members of humanity’s culturally diverse global village from within instead of from without? Think about it. Test your faith in what you believe is the truth by practicing the theory that God’s perfect love will empower your insightful soul to overcome your deepest fears long enough to conquer the persuasive power of hate.
Oh! Before you leave, make sure you know what your deepest fears are so no persuasive person can deceive you today. If time permits, let me know if you agree, or disagree, with the content of today’s post. May the peace of God be with each of you today as you reach out and teach someone how to fish for a lifetime instead of just giving away a fresh fish everyday.
Copyright © by Roderick O. Solomon. All Rights Reserved.
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2 comments February 27th, 2007
