The Power of Influence

When my husband or I give our children their vitamins, it must be done in a certain order. The oldest two first and then our youngest last.

The reason is because Kamryn (the youngest) will not take anything she do not see her oldest siblings take.

If everyone is downstairs and the oldest two migrate upstairs to go play, Kamryn follows.

If the oldest two sit and watch TV, Kamryn sits and watches TV as well.

If the oldest two go outside to play in the yard, Kamryn wiggles her way outside and follows them.

Kamryn is easily influenced by her older siblings.

In the same way, we are influenced by people everyday.

But the most important question is, who are we influenced by?

Whoever it is, are they influencing us to behave in ways that pleases Father God or dishonors Him?

Are we influenced to be greedy?

To gossip?

To cheat or lie?

To be religious and not seek true intimacy with Father God?

Or are we being influenced to get into the Word and truly seek the face of God?

To be obedient to God in every way possible?

To learn what it means to be loyal to God and to fear Him?

We’re either going to be drawn closer to God or further away.

Our actions must align with the Word of God and we must be in a place of obedience – IF we are choosing to live God’s way.

Our circle of family and friend matters to God because they influence our walk with Christ.

A challenging practice that we must do is to be wise by carefully evaluating our circle and doing what is necessary to be influenced rightly.

Not all people in our circle chooses to live a life that pleases God, therefore, there must be some sort of separation – not in a judgmental or harsh manner, but rather in love and with continuous prayer.

Throughout the book of Proverbs, Solomon teaches us about the path of the righteous and the path of the wicked. Each path has its final ending. One leads to life, and the other leads to death and destruction.

He makes a clear command to stay far away from the path of people who have no interest in God’s heart (specifically Chapter 1).

Because our Father cares about our personal relationship with Him, He will connect us with the right people at the right times in every season of our lives, to be influenced to go from faith to faith in Christ Jesus.

A MOMent to Reflect:

Some of the closest people to us isn’t the influence God wants us to be connected to because He knows their heart and the path they are really on.

Many times, people feel discouraged to pray about certain things that seem “small” to God. Rest assured, God cares about every fine detail of our lives – including the people we are connected to.

It is important that we pray for godly connections and influence because it is our goal and responsibility to live right before God.

If you are reading this, I assume you are a mother or plan on becoming one in the future. Either way, God commands us to teach and train our children His ways.

We must understand that our teachings and training is not done only by command, but also by our walk that influences them to live God’s way – holy, pleasing, acceptable, and honorable.

“In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls, but those who would preserve their life stay far from them. Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭22‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬