HOW ARE YOU INFLUENCING OTHERS?
A while back, I saw a comic strip of two moms sitting on a bench, each with their child. One of the moms was reading a book, and so was her child. The other mom was on her cell phone, and so was her child. The mom on the cell phone looked at the other mom and child reading and said, “I wish my child would read.” The picture illustrated was satirical. Of course, looking at this picture, we could see the irony of the situation: What you do, your child will do.
This image has not left my mind since seeing it over a year ago. I have an almost one-year-old son, and he is developing new skills daily. The other day he took a napkin and began to pat my face, just as I do to his. What he sees and what he hears, he is starting to pick-up and mimic. But, it is not only with children; we all can positively or negatively influence others.
We all influence people to one degree or another. If you are a follower of Jesus, the world is especially watching to see how you talk, how you act, how you live. Jesus said:
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:13-16
It would be ridiculous for salt not to taste salty or for a lamp to be covered up and unable to shine a light. In the same vein, it would be foolish for those who have tasted and seen the goodness of God (Psalm 34:18) to not live out this good for others to see. God has made our life to be on display and to show our good works for His glory.
In Acts 20, the apostle Paul is well aware he is to face imprisonment and affliction as he continues to preach the Gospel. In his last few days with the Ephesian church he had labored beside, he reminds them of the example he lived out before them. Paul warned that once he left, there would be wolves seeking to influence the flock of God negatively. He encouraged them to instead, remember the righteous influence he had on them.
Read Acts 20:17-38 and consider the questions that follow.
- List examples of how Paul lived among the people.
- How did the people know Jesus better by Paul’s actions and words?
- What type of influences did Paul warn about? Why do you think he felt the need to inform about these types of people?
As I study the scripture in Acts 20, I can’t help but think, “Am I a godly influence to those around me?” Can I stand before people with a clean heart and say, “look at me, and do as I do?” Paul was secure enough to say in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ.” I am saddened to say that I wouldn’t want all of my life to be imitated by others.
However, these scriptures can encourage me, and you, to continue to fight the good fight and lean into the grace of God to be the person He has called you to be. A person who is sold out for Jesus and desires to point others to God. A disciple who follows the example of Christ closely and invites others to do the same.
Reflect and Connect
Who have been positive godly influences in your life? How are you modeling your life after them?
Who has God placed in your life to influence positively for the sake of God’s kingdom? How are you doing this? If you are not doing this, what is stopping you?
