The weather was hot, but the tennis match was just what he needed. Out on the court, Daniel was able to pound away some of the nagging stress of life, and simply focus on exercising, competing, and having fun with Tyler, his friend and brother in Christ. It was Tyler’s turn to provide the snacks and drinks, so they left the park and headed to his house. Tyler was a deacon at their congregation, and Daniel often looked up to him for his wisdom and godly example. In fact, Tyler was chiefly responsible for getting Daniel to go on his first mission trip overseas. He was a person that many in the congregation loved and respected.
When they walked into Tyler’s home, Daniel immediately began to admire the family portraits that graced the walls of Tyler’s home. As they walked into the kitchen, Tyler opened the refrigerator and asked Daniel, “What will it be?” Staring back at him from the soft glow of the refrigerator light were three brands of soft drinks, a couple of sports drinks, four bottles of water, and two different types of beer. Daniel quickly chose a sports drink, but his head was still reeling from the sight of the beer bottles.
As he took a seat on the sofa, his impression of Tyler continued to spiral down. He began to see things that he had previously overlooked. A quick glance at Tyler’s DVD collection revealed that he had no problem at all watching R and NC-17-rated movies that contained immoral behavior laced with hundreds of curse words. The magazines and books that adorned his shelves were questionable at best. As he panned around the room, he noticed the pictures he formerly admired also contained images of Tyler’s daughters in bikinis at public beaches, and dressed up for prom night. In a span of three minutes, all of the positive influence Tyler had ever had on Daniel was lost.
Like it or not, we are all on a “dual” sliding scale when it comes to influence. One slide varies according to the influence we have on others around us (e.g., Tyler), that can affect them for good or bad. The other sliding bar represents the influence the world has on us, that can affect our own spiritual lives for good or bad. As Christians, we must strive to minimize the world’s influence, all the while influencing others for good.
Our Influence On Others
I have listened, on several occasions, as Christians have used mental and spiritual gymnastics to try and justify or legitimize certain questionable behaviors. The foundation of their arguments is always the same: “The Bible doesn’t say we can’t.” And with this simple wave of their cerebral magic wands, they embrace behaviors such as social drinking. While they don’t feel their behaviors violate Scripture, they have forgotten the impact of their influence on others.
Before we get mired down in a debate on what behaviors and activities are “acceptable” or “allowed,” there is a trump card that resolves the issues—our Christian influence on those around us. Since we do not live in a vacuum or alone on an island, our actions and choices influence someone, even if it is just a cashier at the local grocery store. That cashier has a soul, and will one day stand at the judgment seat of God. As followers of Christ, what influence do we each have on that person?
No matter what behaviors one condemns or condones, he cannot separate himself from his influence. Our actions and influence are married together. We are called to be lights to the world (Matthew 5:13-16), following Christ’s example (1 Peter 2:21-22). As we examine our hearts, we need to ask: What is more important, justifying a questionable behavior or remaining a light to the world and guarding our influence on others?
Have you ever stopped to consider how your daily actions impact the lives of others? Even mundane things like running errands. Are we conducting ourselves in such a way that we become a stumbling block for others? Some of the chief complaints against Christianity are hypocrisy and poor attitudes. While I don’t believe anyone should allow others to affect their own relationship with God (or use the excuse of hypocrisy as a crutch), I do recognize the behavior of others can, and does, have an impact. Paul wrote, “So then, each of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way” (Romans 14:12-13, emp. added).
Our influence is not just limited to certain actions; it is also linked to our attitudes and dispositions. I have been in Atlanta’s airport and watched individuals wearing “mission” t-shirts, on their way to teach Bible in third world countries, scream and yell at airline workers when flights were delayed. I have been in worship services where frown-wearing Christians looked as though it truly pained them to be in attendance. Or how about when depressed–looking Christians sing “…When we all get to heaven. What a day of rejoicing that will be.”
How powerful and important is our own personal influence? Consider Peter’s admonition to women whose husbands are not Christians. “Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives” (1 Peter 3:1, emp. added). Is our conduct winning souls for Christ, or are we simply blending into the world—appearing as worldly individuals, like we were before we were baptized?
When we put on Christ in baptism, we need to remember that we put away the old man (Galatians 3:27; Colossians 3:9-11). We are no longer living for self, but rather for Him. We are no longer running with the same crowd. Peter reminded those who had left their former ways: “For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you” (1 Peter 4:3-4 emp. added).
Never forget that long after you take your last breath, your influence will live on. The influence Tyler had in Daniel’s life took a major negative turn—one that would not soon be forgotten. In Revelation 14:13 we learn that our works follow us after death. In Hebrews 11:4 we learn that Abel “being dead still speaks.” His influence, and the influences of other godly individuals like Noah, Abraham, Sarah, and others have been recorded in that great “Hall of Faith” listed in Hebrews 11. How will your influence affect others after you are gone?
Others Influence on Us
Volumes have been written on the dangers of influence from society, as our nation continues its downward slide toward hedonism and immorality. Just a few months ago, we featured an issue of Think on “Influences of the Media,” pointing out some of the dangers for which young and old alike must be on the lookout. Even though forms of media and trends have changed, the Truth found in God’s Word has not. In 1 John 2:15-16 we read, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world”
We also must look at the influence of the individuals with whom we, and our children, associate. How much time do you spend getting to know your children’s friends? Sadly, it is often only after-the-fact that parents recognize that their children’s journey towards apostasy began when they were hanging around certain wayward individuals. Paul’s words to Christians in Corinth still ring true, “Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits” (1 Corinthians 15:33). I suspect every congregation holds some gray-headed parents who wish they had given more heed to this verse when their own children were young. Do you really know your children’s friends?
Parents, teachers, preachers, and elders also need to give strong consideration to the amount and the content of what young and old alike are consuming from the media. Do we give thought to the lyrics of the songs to which our children are listening? When is the last time you changed the television channel because the show your children or grandchildren were watching was not one of which God would approve? Or what about the Web pages that are viewed at your home or office? In commenting on the profuse influence of humanism within our society, Tim LeHaye observed in his book, The Battle for the Mind, “Our present society is in a state of moral decay, not because the majority of Americans love degeneracy, but because the influence of humanism has been greater on our culture than the influence of the church” (1980, p. 189). Could this not also be said for the influence of atheism, materialism, liberalism, evolution, and hedonism?
What about your own influence? What can you personally do to ensure that your influence doesn’t negatively impact others? When you go to the voting booth, how will your influence affect our nation? Is your influence shaped and molded by the world, or are you doing all you can to shape and mold the world for Him?
When they walked into Tyler’s home, Daniel immediately began to admire the family portraits that graced the walls of Tyler’s home. As they walked into the kitchen, Tyler opened the refrigerator and asked Daniel, “What will it be?” Staring back at him from the soft glow of the refrigerator light were three brands of soft drinks, a couple of sports drinks, four bottles of water, and two different types of beer. Daniel quickly chose a sports drink, but his head was still reeling from the sight of the beer bottles.
As he took a seat on the sofa, his impression of Tyler continued to spiral down. He began to see things that he had previously overlooked. A quick glance at Tyler’s DVD collection revealed that he had no problem at all watching R and NC-17-rated movies that contained immoral behavior laced with hundreds of curse words. The magazines and books that adorned his shelves were questionable at best. As he panned around the room, he noticed the pictures he formerly admired also contained images of Tyler’s daughters in bikinis at public beaches, and dressed up for prom night. In a span of three minutes, all of the positive influence Tyler had ever had on Daniel was lost.
Like it or not, we are all on a “dual” sliding scale when it comes to influence. One slide varies according to the influence we have on others around us (e.g., Tyler), that can affect them for good or bad. The other sliding bar represents the influence the world has on us, that can affect our own spiritual lives for good or bad. As Christians, we must strive to minimize the world’s influence, all the while influencing others for good.
Our Influence On Others
I have listened, on several occasions, as Christians have used mental and spiritual gymnastics to try and justify or legitimize certain questionable behaviors. The foundation of their arguments is always the same: “The Bible doesn’t say we can’t.” And with this simple wave of their cerebral magic wands, they embrace behaviors such as social drinking. While they don’t feel their behaviors violate Scripture, they have forgotten the impact of their influence on others.
Before we get mired down in a debate on what behaviors and activities are “acceptable” or “allowed,” there is a trump card that resolves the issues—our Christian influence on those around us. Since we do not live in a vacuum or alone on an island, our actions and choices influence someone, even if it is just a cashier at the local grocery store. That cashier has a soul, and will one day stand at the judgment seat of God. As followers of Christ, what influence do we each have on that person?
No matter what behaviors one condemns or condones, he cannot separate himself from his influence. Our actions and influence are married together. We are called to be lights to the world (Matthew 5:13-16), following Christ’s example (1 Peter 2:21-22). As we examine our hearts, we need to ask: What is more important, justifying a questionable behavior or remaining a light to the world and guarding our influence on others?
Have you ever stopped to consider how your daily actions impact the lives of others? Even mundane things like running errands. Are we conducting ourselves in such a way that we become a stumbling block for others? Some of the chief complaints against Christianity are hypocrisy and poor attitudes. While I don’t believe anyone should allow others to affect their own relationship with God (or use the excuse of hypocrisy as a crutch), I do recognize the behavior of others can, and does, have an impact. Paul wrote, “So then, each of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way” (Romans 14:12-13, emp. added).
Our influence is not just limited to certain actions; it is also linked to our attitudes and dispositions. I have been in Atlanta’s airport and watched individuals wearing “mission” t-shirts, on their way to teach Bible in third world countries, scream and yell at airline workers when flights were delayed. I have been in worship services where frown-wearing Christians looked as though it truly pained them to be in attendance. Or how about when depressed–looking Christians sing “…When we all get to heaven. What a day of rejoicing that will be.”
How powerful and important is our own personal influence? Consider Peter’s admonition to women whose husbands are not Christians. “Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives” (1 Peter 3:1, emp. added). Is our conduct winning souls for Christ, or are we simply blending into the world—appearing as worldly individuals, like we were before we were baptized?
When we put on Christ in baptism, we need to remember that we put away the old man (Galatians 3:27; Colossians 3:9-11). We are no longer living for self, but rather for Him. We are no longer running with the same crowd. Peter reminded those who had left their former ways: “For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you” (1 Peter 4:3-4 emp. added).
Never forget that long after you take your last breath, your influence will live on. The influence Tyler had in Daniel’s life took a major negative turn—one that would not soon be forgotten. In Revelation 14:13 we learn that our works follow us after death. In Hebrews 11:4 we learn that Abel “being dead still speaks.” His influence, and the influences of other godly individuals like Noah, Abraham, Sarah, and others have been recorded in that great “Hall of Faith” listed in Hebrews 11. How will your influence affect others after you are gone?
Others Influence on Us
Volumes have been written on the dangers of influence from society, as our nation continues its downward slide toward hedonism and immorality. Just a few months ago, we featured an issue of Think on “Influences of the Media,” pointing out some of the dangers for which young and old alike must be on the lookout. Even though forms of media and trends have changed, the Truth found in God’s Word has not. In 1 John 2:15-16 we read, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world”
We also must look at the influence of the individuals with whom we, and our children, associate. How much time do you spend getting to know your children’s friends? Sadly, it is often only after-the-fact that parents recognize that their children’s journey towards apostasy began when they were hanging around certain wayward individuals. Paul’s words to Christians in Corinth still ring true, “Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits” (1 Corinthians 15:33). I suspect every congregation holds some gray-headed parents who wish they had given more heed to this verse when their own children were young. Do you really know your children’s friends?
Parents, teachers, preachers, and elders also need to give strong consideration to the amount and the content of what young and old alike are consuming from the media. Do we give thought to the lyrics of the songs to which our children are listening? When is the last time you changed the television channel because the show your children or grandchildren were watching was not one of which God would approve? Or what about the Web pages that are viewed at your home or office? In commenting on the profuse influence of humanism within our society, Tim LeHaye observed in his book, The Battle for the Mind, “Our present society is in a state of moral decay, not because the majority of Americans love degeneracy, but because the influence of humanism has been greater on our culture than the influence of the church” (1980, p. 189). Could this not also be said for the influence of atheism, materialism, liberalism, evolution, and hedonism?
What about your own influence? What can you personally do to ensure that your influence doesn’t negatively impact others? When you go to the voting booth, how will your influence affect our nation? Is your influence shaped and molded by the world, or are you doing all you can to shape and mold the world for Him?