“For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in spirit of gentleness.” 1 Corinthians 4:20-21

Every coach has a different style of getting his or her point across to the team in training and in games. From Vince Lombardi, Tom Landry, John Wooden, and Dean Smith to Tony Dungy, Bobby Knight and Mike Krzyzewski, each had or has his own unique style.

You could say for the most part that most coaches fall into one of two categories: those that have a “soft touch” and those that rule with an iron fist. Whether it is getting eye level with a player and calmly correcting his or her error with a gentle rebuking, or tossing a chair and getting an inch away from a player and screaming in his or her face, every coach has his or her way of getting the message across.

The difference between the mediocre coaches and the great ones listed above is that they were not just talk, they had power.

When Paul wrote this to the church in Corinth, he was making a bold and clear statement that the Church and Christ were not just words, but are actual power, and the power of God must be respected. He will either be known by a gentle spirit or with a rod.

Some need the gentle spirit and some need the rod. Either way, no matter how you respond, respect and honor the power when it is made known.

—RYAN J. DINUNZIO