Have you ever considered the Law of Influence? How does this law work? Words, actions, expressions, and displays all are ingredients in the mixing bowl of our thoughts. Look how our culture is shaped by this. It does not require a great deal of people to have influence for it to be effective. Influence, as defined by Webster is: “…the capacity or power of persons or things to be a compelling force on or produce effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of others…” Influence is a profound noun which causes many verbs to take place. Influence can generate righteous or unrighteous actions. According to Scripture, it is something we as believers are to righteously possess and conduct ourselves by, both in us and over us. Influence can be measured, not necessarily scientifically, but socially and spiritually. Hitler had influence; touching the primal fears in the German people and swaying them to his ideology. (demonic spirit-driven). The Apostles had influence over the emerging Body of Messiah as well. We could discuss many examples of powerful influencers over the millenia.
Let me give you two examples in the last couple of days. I was influenced heavily by the 4 children in Iraq who recently gave their lives because they would not denounce the name, “Yesua” (Yeshua – Jesus), in favor of keeping their lives had they called on the name of allah. (the link to this story is below) I was provoked immensely by the fact that in our society, especially our youth, we are haphazardly moved by the waves of pop culture, in technology, media, and busyness; and here, across the globe, are 4 children who made the biggest decision of their lives. They chose to obtain the crown in heaven, which is eternal, over the decision to preserve themselves. I ask the question, where did their influence come from? Now what they have done has influenced myself and others, to take action on their behalf . Will it influence the youth of today?
Contrarily, yesterday, I viewed “a man on the street” type interviewer randomly questioning several college students; asking them this question, “Who will you vote for president, and why?” The answer to the first was not surprising, but to the second a little startling. Over 2 dozen times the answer was Hillary Clinton, and following that answer was the response, “…because she is a woman”. I need to ask this question, “Why has there been an overwhelming influence in college students to think that she is qualified to be president, just because of her gender?” Have we created a culture of false martyrdom, or pseudo-victims, and inflamed our society to the point in which our critical thinking skills are subsequently turned off? (That was rhetorical) – Selah. Now, society’s top biased cultural issues are governing even the individual’s ability to delineate thought. Truly this is the type of deception where Scripture says, “even the elect…” might be affected, ergo influence gone awry.
I believe, as believers, we are instructed to function in 2 ways. We are to be influential towards the world around us, and we are to moved by the power of the Holy Spirit (influence) to align with the Living Word, Jesus. It seems that today, I watch many good people, even those who call themselves Christians, easily subjugated to the influence of unrighteous leverage. If one is leaning towards or aligned to the spirits operating in this world, it is easy to become engulfed in them. If one walks with Godly authority though, that authority creates the influence of Jesus himself. We love to quote the great commission, but many times fail to look at the verse that precedes it: Matthew 28:18-19 says, “And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go you therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” This is probably one of the greatest displays of how influence works in the Kingdom of God; but we must realize that there is no “Great Commission” without the proverbial baton of power and influence handed to the Son from the Father which is then delegated to you and I. This is the way influence is to be demonstrated through love to the world around us.
John the Baptist (The Immerser) was influenced by the level of Grace (empowerment – that’s what it means…for another teaching) and Truth (established bedrock and foundation). He went as far as to stand for truth in Herod’s court; confronting the unrighteousness in his life. Remember, Herod was a Jew and yes, it led to John’s beheading. Two streams of influence. Look how John made his choice, because from the beginning of his ministry, he knew where his influence came from…
1 John 4:14-15: “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.”
It is troublesome when Believers cower to the definitions which the world’s culture throws on Christians; as if we are supposed to allow the world to define who we are. Yet, many of us ignorantly agree with them, or in the very least are silenced because we do not want to be charged with being “intolerant”. This causes a terrible mixture of redefinition to take place, which then separates us and creates chaos within the Body. That mixture comes in many ways: compromise, apathy, complacency, fear, unbelief and disbelief (intentional unbelief).
It is time we understand we are to be defined by our King, who reigns over a Kingdom; whose subjects are only defined by the influence He demonstrated. Righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit is what defines the Kingdom. Love is the motivator and vehicle by which our actions should be carried upon. Love is not defined as weakness; for the greatest act of love was the most influential and paramount act of power in all the universe.
I encourage you to take an inventory of your thoughts and actions today. I am doing this as well. What influences do you align yourself with? How are your thoughts towards foundational righteousness governed? What goes in your ear gate? What goes in your eye gate? What sources are you influenced by? Do the messages and systems in this world play any part of the way you think? Brothers and Sisters, it is time we become righteously influential in our society. I think we would all agree that time is probably running a little short. Let us all become influenced more and more by our King and then allow His power to make us influential in the world today.
Link to story about 4 children:
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/isis-beheads-4-children-iraq-refusing-convert-islam-claims-vicar-baghdad-1478586
From an eagle’s view…