INFLUENCE
“In the same way, let your light shine before others…” Matthew 5:16 NIV
Influence: the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something…
“…so that the commendable things you do will shine as light upon them, and then they will give their
praise to your Father in Heaven.” Matthew 5:16 TPT
You have influence
“If your life in any way connects with other people, you are an influencer.” – John Maxwell
On average, most people will influence around 10,000 others in an average lifetime
Your influence matters
What type of power are you giving your influence?
Positive and Negative
Positive Influence: the impact of a person, group or situation that motivates, encourages, or inspires others to make positive changes or decisions in their lives. It can lead to the growth, development and the well-being of individuals and communities
Negative Influence: the impact of a person, group or situation that encourages or leads others to make harmful or undesirable decisions or actions in their lives. It can result in harm, discouragement, and/or deterioration of individuals and communities
Love
“If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal “1 Corinthians 13:1 NLT
“Love is patient and kind, Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT
An Influencer is patient and kind
An Influencer is not jealous, boastful, proud, or rude
An Influencer does not demand their own way
An Influencer is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged
An Influencer does not rejoice about injustice
An Influencer rejoices whenever the truth wins out
An Influencer never gives up and never loses faith
An Influencer is always hopeful
An Influencer endures through every circumstance
The Character of a Positive Influencer
“Now, the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “did God really say, ‘you must not eat from any tree in the garden?’” The woman said to the serpent, “we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘you must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it or you will die.”
“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the women. For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it…” Genesis 3:1-6 NLT
HOW TO NOT BE A NEGATIVE INFLUENCE
1. Remind Ourselves of Who We Are
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 NLT
Who You Are Determines What You Do
2. Speak Positively About People and Circumstances
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 NIV
“With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth! My Friends, this cant go on. A spring doesn’t gush fresh water one day and brackish the next, does it? Apple trees don’t bear strawberries, do they? Raspberry bushes don’t bear apples, do they? Youre not going to dip into a polluted mud hole and get a cup of clear, cool water, are you? James 3:10-12 MSG
3. Have integrity with People
Commit Yourself to honesty, reliability, and confidentiality
Exemplify Humility
“Your boast becomes a prophecy of a future failure. The higher you lift up yourself in pride, the harder you’ll fall in disgrace.” Proverbs 16:18 TPT
Major in the Minor things
4. Keep the main thing the main thing
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations” Matthew 28:19 NLT
HOW TO NOT BE NEGATIVELY INFLUENCED BY OTHERS
1. Inspect Your Environments
Is this helping or hurting me walk in my God given calling?
There are environments that we can put ourselves into that are not conducive to the growth that God desires us to have in our lives
“Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces.” Proverbs 13:20 MSG
“….Bad Company corrupts good character” 1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV
2. Make a Plan to Change and Change
“your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.” – Jim Rohn
3. Make the change despite criticism
“There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.” – Aristotle
“I will forgive their wrongdoing, and I will never again remember their sins” Hebrews 8:12 CSB