From the Elder's Pen "Influence" 10/28/01 Past/Future Articles

The Bible has many references to the good and bad influences people have on others.  Notice the comparison made in Proverbs 27:17.  A Christian will influence the interest of friends in the way of the Lord.  Do I influence people to love the Lord (Luke 10:27)?

How much do other people influence us in our attitudes and actions?  Our influence will live on after death (read Rev. 14:13).  Do I influence people to hate every evil way (Rom. 12:9)?  How is Wednesday night influencing our neighbors?  Do I influence people to faithfully worship (Heb. 10:25)?

We are constantly influencing and being influenced by those around us.  Our personalities are, to some degree, a mixture of all the people with whom we come in contact.  Do we influence people to teach the things of Christ to others (Matt. 28:18)?

The curious thing about influence is that we usually will not know when we are affecting someone else, or maybe not even know who that person is.  How many of the people who influence you actually know it?  Christians are encouraged in Ephesians 4:1 to…”walk worthy of the calling with which you were called.”

Remember, you are a Christian!  Work hard to be a good influence before others at all times.  Let us all examine ourselves daily on our influence.