Influence
We must evaluate influences by Biblical standards. The Bible is supposed to be
our main influence (Romans 15:4) “for whatsoever things were written aforetime
were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the
scriptures might have hope”. (II Timothy 3:16-17) “All scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly
furnished to all good works”. People tend to believe lies that reinforce their own
selfish, personal beliefs. Today, more then ever, we need to be careful about the
input we allow to form our beliefs. With TV, music, movies and the rest of the
media often presenting sinful lifestyles and unwholesome values, we find our self
constantly bombarded by attitudes and beliefs that are totally opposed to the
Bible. Be careful about what you allow to form your opinions. The Bible is the only
standard of truth. Evaluate all other opinions in light of its teachings. Who we
lesson to can have long lasting effects on our lives (Proverbs 1:10-15) “My son, if
sinners entice you, consent you not. If they say, come with us, let us lay wait for
blood, let us lurk ambush the innocent without cause. Let us swallow them up alive
as the grave and whole, as those that go down into the pit. We shall find all
precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil. Cast in your lot among us,
let us all have one purse. My son, walk not you in the way with them, refrain your
foot from their path”. I Corinthians 15:33 says “be not deceived, evil
communications corrupt good manners”. Advertisement is seeking to influence
you into buying their products. Movies and Television are influencing people to
their ways, and often portray their ideas of what morals means today.
We must seek to be influenced by Christ like models. Christ provides a perfect
model. No matter how you were raised or who has influenced you life, you can
move beyond those limitations by taking Christ as your example and consciously
trying to live as He did (Galatians 5:25) “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in
the Spirit”, (Ephesians 5:1-8) “Be you therefore followers of God, as dear children.
And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and has given Himself for us an
offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor. But fornication, and all
uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becomes
saints. Neither filthiness, nor foolish taking, nor jesting, which are not convenient
but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean
person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom
of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words, for because of
these things comes the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not
you therefore partakers with them. For you were sometimes darkness, but now are
you light in the Lord, walk as children of light”.
Our influence on others will be judged by God (Romans 1;18-32) “For the wrath of
God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men,
who hold the truth in unrighteousness. Because that which may be known of God
is manifest in them, for God has showed it to them. For the invisible things of Him,
from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that
are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.
Because that when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were
thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was
darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools” (verses 18:22),
verse 32 says “they are fully aware of God’s death penalty for those who do these
things, yet they go right ahead and do them anyway, and worse yet, they
encourage others to do them, too”. In Romans 6:16 says “know you not, that to
whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you
obey, whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness?”
Remember Balaam when he was forbidden to curse the children of Israel, caused
them to sin (Revelation 2:14) “But I have a few things against you, because you
have there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a
stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to
commit fornication”. II Peter 2:15-16 Peter warns them not to follow Balaam “which
have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the
son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness. But was rebuked for his
iniquity, the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbade the madness of the
prophet”. Whatever you allow to influence your life will influence those around you
(Joshua 24:31) “And Israel served the Lord Yahweh all the days of Joshua, and all
the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, and which had known all the works of
the Lord Yahweh, that He had done for Israel”. In Judges 2:8-11 after Joshua died
and was buried “and also all that generation were gathered to their fathers and
there arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord Yahweh, nor
yet the works which He had done for Israel. And the children of Israel did evil in the
sight of the Lord Yahweh and served baalim”.
Remember the 10 spies who caused all Israel 20 years old and above to die in the
wilderness because of their evil report (Numbers 13:31-14:2) “but the men that
went up with him said, we be not able to go up against the people for they are
stronger than we. And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had
searched to the children of Israel, saying. The land through which we have gone
to search it, is a land that eats up the inhabitants thereof, and all the people that
we saw in it are men of great stature. And there we saw the giants, the sons of
Anak, which come of the giants, and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers,
and so we were in their sight. And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and
cried, and the people wept that night. And all the children of Israel murmured
against Moses and against Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them.
Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt or would God we had died in this
wilderness”. When we obey God, our influence becomes positive.
Study by: Harriet Bond
Date: May 15, 2007