Authority is most often not used correctly. Godly authority is gentle, as you can see in the following verse.

...by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am ‘timid’ when face to face with you, but ‘bold’ when away! I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world… - 2 Corinthians 10:1-2 (NKJV)

How clear can Paul be about the proper use of authority? Paul was the conduit, the channel of the authority of God. Jesus is THE Authority and is “meek and gentle” in His dealings with us. His unlimited power is used for our benefit because He is meek and gentle.

Meek and Gentle

That does not mean that He is timid! Meekness is best defined as “power under control.” Jesus’ vast power is not used like the power of a bomb, which is very destructive. Instead, His power is controlled like electricity that powers our lights and other beneficial tools and appliances. 

When you use the power of God’s authority, you do not try to change people – that is Christ’s role. You hope, pray, encourage, exhort, and rebuke, but leave the change to God and them. That is what Paul did because he knows that godly authority is gentle. He was the messenger that things would not go well if they continued to do what Christ stated was sinful and inappropriate behavior.

And notice that Paul did not say anything about his power or authority. He called the Corinthians' attention to God’s authority and power. Our power is irrelevant; if you do not believe that, you will try to control instead of calling people back to God’s standards. Please remember this critical thought as a leader - Godly authority is gentle, and you are to use His authority correctly since He is the only authority.

Follows Paul’s Example

There are more passages that support this idea that Paul did not try to control the Corinthians, instead he invited them to consider the truth. He did not demand, even though he could have with his position. Why didn’t he demand? Because the authority is not Paul’s, and he was using Christ’s authority in the same way that Christ would use it.

Look at these additional passages.

Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy - 2 Corinthians 1:24 (NKJV)

I urge you, therefore to reaffirm your love for Him - 2 Corinthians 2:8 (NKJV) 

Dear friends, purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God - 2 Corinthians 7:1 (NKJV) 

I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love - 2 Corinthians 8:8 (NKJV)

Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you? - 2 Corinthians 11:7 (NKJV)

Here is my advice about what is best for you - 2 Corinthians 11:10 (NKJV)

Every scripture is about treating people as Jesus would – with meekness and gentleness because He is God, and godly authority is gentle and meek.

Built on the REALITY of God’s Image

Consider two approaches a leader can take with a person. You can be powerful or relational. The better approach is to use both in the right proportion for any situation. You will see more about this in Great Leaders Use Both Results and Relating.

If you focus on POWER, you distort the image of God, because He is also Relational. Or, if you think just being relational or getting along is best, you also distort the image of God, because He is also Powerful.

Paul’s example is so good for us to follow because he used power, but not his power. He used God’s power. When you do that, power is used constructively; why? Remember the primary way God uses His power? It is about freeing others, not controlling them. It is about building up and edifying others.

Helpful Principle

When you use the “power from the outside, not the inside” principle (more on this later), you will use the power of God, not your own power. That frees you to relate to others properly. You do not just try to “get along” because the POWER of God shares the truth with people. So, the table below will help you see that by using God’s POWER, you will not distort the image of God. You will tend to relate with power and share truth (power) in love (relate), as stated in Ephesians 4:15.