Influence, You Have It
There is one thing that everyone has. When I say everyone, I’m talking about the youngest to the oldest of us, the infant and the one who has lived 100 years or more.
When you see a newborn baby what do you do? I would venture to say that a huge smile comes across your face, and your eyes might even light up. That infant has influenced you. When you see the 100-year-old struggling with something that you can do easily, you go to their aid. This aged person has influenced you.
There are times that people are influenced to do good or bad. Amnon, King David’s son, lusted after Tamar. His friend Jonadab give him a plan to get her alone in his house. He raped her. (2 Samuel 13)
Jereboam, King Solomon’s son, was the new king of Israel. He called his father’s counselors together to get their advice. They told him, in essence, to make things easier for the people and they would follow him. He dismissed them, brought in those of his own age and they told him to make things harder for the people. He listened to the advice of those his own age and the kingdom divided. (1 Kings 12) These two examples show us what the wrong kind of influence can do.
Let’s listen to the Creator of the world when He said, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 (NASB)
There is someone watching you every time you do something. If you are doing that which is good, then they will follow that example. If you are doing something that is bad, they will follow that example as well. Many people are in prison today because they were influenced in the wrong way to do something.
Jesus said let your light shine before others that they may see your good works. Have a good influence on them. Why? So that your Father in heaven may be glorified. It all comes down to us trying to be what God wants us to be.
As you go about your routine today, who will you influence? A classmate at school? A coworker? Those in the city where you live? And what will your influence be like? Will it be good or bad? Glorifying God or glorifying Satan? Those are our choices. I choose this day to serve God, won’t you?