Persuasion

Attempting to win others over to one's own point of view. It can be either positive, as with preaching the gospel, or it can spring from a malign intent to seduce people from the truth.

Means of persuasion

The persuasiveness of argument

Acts 16:15 See also Judges 19:3, Judges 19:7; 2 Samuel 3:35; Acts 5:40, Acts 19:32–41, Acts 21:14

And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.

The persuasiveness of proof

Acts 1:3 See also Genesis 45:25–28

After His suffering, He presented Himself to them with many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a span of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

The persuasiveness of experience

1 Corinthians 14:24–25

But if an unbeliever or uninstructed person comes in while everyone is prophesying, he will be convicted and called to account by all, and the secrets of his heart will be made known. So he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, “God is truly among you!”

The first Christians were persuaded of the truth of their faith

2 Timothy 1:12 See also Romans 4:20–21, Romans 8:38–39; 2 Timothy 3:14

For this reason, even though I suffer as I do, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.

The apostles tried to persuade others of the truth of the gospel

Acts 18:4 See also Acts 17:2–4, Acts 19:8, Acts 26:26–29, Acts 28:23–24; 2 Corinthians 5:11

Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks alike.

Scripture advises patience when seeking to persuade those in power

Proverbs 25:15 See also Luke 18:1–5

Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

Scripture warns against the persuasiveness of evil

The persuasiveness of adulterers

Proverbs 7:21 See also Proverbs 5:3, Proverbs 7:5

With her great persuasion she entices him; with her flattering lips she lures him.

The persuasiveness of false prophets

Jeremiah 28:15

Then the prophet Jeremiah said to the prophet Hananiah, “Listen, Hananiah! The LORD did not send you, but you have persuaded this people to trust in a lie.

Examples of God's servants suffering through the persuasiveness of others

Matthew 27:20 parallel Mark 15:11 See also Acts 14:19

But the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus put to death.