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Influence

Everyone always hears about how influence is such a powerful thing. We must choose our friends wisely, we must be careful what music we listen to, the content we consume, the stuff we read ETC. “Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” (1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV)

While all this is true, people often forget the other side of the coin. If people can influence us very strongly in good or bad ways, are we not the same? We are people! We are the influence. How we live our lives can be the determining factor in whether someone stays on the straight and narrow. If we are a good influence, than it will show in those around us. “13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
(Matthew 5:13-16)

We must always be striving to lift others up. Our influence is just as powerful as the influence of the people that we come in contact with. If we portray the character of Christ, it will shine out and influence those around us. Every action should be calculated. “Would Jesus do this?” “How would Jesus act in this situation?”.

When we portray the character of Christ to our friends, something interesting happens. As we help them get closer, they in tern influence us for the better. “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” (Proverbs 27:17). It spirals from there. We continue to feed off of each other. As one gets closer, the other in tern gets closer to Christ. However, the same can be true of bad influence. We must always be striving to get closer to Christ.

In conclusion, who we are can be a determining factor in who others are. The way to be good influences is through a constant connection with christ. Always striving for what’s right. Daily prayer and study. If we depart from having a close connection with Christ, we could end up being the “bad company” mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:33.

-Ethan Carpenter

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