Webster defines influence as "the act or the power of producing an effect without apparent force or direct authority." By this we can see that influence may be good or bad, since any effect without force or direct authority is defined as "influence." Therefore, in our lives as Christians we ought to be very careful in what we say and do. We just may be a bad influence on somebody! If our lives are properly conducted, lived as God would have them, we can be sure of always having a good influence on people. Someone has said, "influence never dies." This may or may not be always true, but it surely is to some extent. We ought to be concerned as to how we can exert a good influence on people. There are many ways in which this may be done. Let us note a few of them

[1] It may be that we influence people by suggestion. This is precisely the way Adam and Eve were tempted and caused to sin by Satan. He did nor order, force or command them to disobey God - he merely suggested it. So he influenced their lives, and the effect of that influence is still felt until this good day. We need to be careful what we suggest. When we make suggestions, be sure they are prompted by the purest of motives. By your influence, you may be a means of a soul being saved or lost.

[2] We may influence people by the power of persuasion. This is obviously a stronger means of influence than suggestion, since it involves both suggestion, then persuading people to accept it. Many times people are persuaded to do the wrong thing when they may just as easily be persuaded to do right. Paul almost "persuaded" Agrippa to become a Christian (Acts 26:28, KJV). What was he doing? He was exerting influence upon Agrippa. Some used the power of persuasion for evil reasons also. Note the old prophet of Bethel who persuaded the man of God to do the opposite of God's directions (1 Kgs. 13). A bad influence indeed!

[3] It may well be that we influence people by our character. Peter said the good character of the wife could win her husband (1 Pet. 3:1-2). This involves the setting of the proper examples ourselves. Our character is what we really are - our reputation is what people think we are. If our lives are proper, we cannot by our character influence people in the wrong way. Paul says we are not to be conformed to this world, but transformed (Rom. 12:1-2). Let us make sure we have the proper characteristics about us. We influence people by them.

[4] We may influence by our speech. Beware of "men who would beguile you with enticing words" (Col. 2:4). Eloquence, I suppose, is the mosst powerful means of swaying people. One who has an audience, for or against him, can many times sway them to his way by used of eloquent words. One of the most wicked men who ever lived, Adolph , had this amazing ability. Multitudes were stirred up and swayed by his extraordinary ability to convince by his words. Many times we find this happening, often by men with evil intentions. Paul did not resort to it. He came "not with excellency of speech and wisdom and with enticing words of man's wisdom ..." (1 Cor. 2:1-4). He came with the simple message that produced upon the hearts of men the proper effect, or influence. To exert a saving influence, we need to "speak the truth in love" (Eph. 4:15). Our speech ought to be sound (Tit. 2:8). It is a means of influencing people.

Let us always be aware that in one or more of these ways, we may influence others. Our lives ought to be such that our influence will always be for good. In light of Webster's definition, we need to remember that we may influence "without any apparent force or direct authority." This is why we may influence without being aware of it, and why we need to be so careful. We are "epistles ... known and read of all men" (2 Cor. 3:2). Make sure you convey the right message!  - Bill Moseley

The account of the Pharisee and publican who went to the temple to pray (Lk. 18:9-14) gives rise to a moder day version of the same thing.

The story goes that two men went into a church to pray. One was a prominent and prosperous citizen, and his pompossity was known to all. The other was a poor school teacher.

The prominent citizen stood and prayed these words: "Oh Lord, I thank thee that I am not like these professional men, even as this poor school teacher. I pay half the teacher's salary. It is my money that built this church building. I subscribe liberally to preaching in foreign fields, and to all the work of the church. It is my money that advances Thy cause!"

The poor school teacher was quite different. He bowed his head in humility and simply prayed: "Oh God, forgive me and be merciful to me - for I was that man's teacher."

All of us are teachers in one way or another (see above artilce on "Influence." If we have the occasion, at a later time to see our students, what will we see? As you teach Bible classes, how to you perceive your students "turning out" as a result of your teaching? Such ought to cause us to think deeply as we go about teaching people.  - Bill Moseley

The Spring of 1988 found me in a gospel meeting with a small church in the wooded Ozarks of north-central Arkansas. It was there I met Sherman Pulley, an oldster of 83 at the time. He invited us into his delapidated house in the woods and said, "hit shore is good t'see you fellers" (they said "it" with and "h" on it where Sherman lives!). Sherman had lost his wife about four months previously, and soon got a letter from a widow saying ... well, it said, "come and see me." Sherman went, and there were three of them, one of whom tried to hug him! Too fast for Sherman!

Guess how she knew he lived by himself? He advertized - and didn't even know it! You see, he hung his wash on the line (or fence), and there were no women's clothes out to dry - a sure sign to the widow lady that it may be "open season" on Sherman.

It occurs to me that we can do this too - and not even mean to. That "innocent" word; that "insignificant" act ..." But are they? No - they are loud and clear as to who and what we are.

Be careful what you "hang on the fence" for others to see! If you happen to have Sherman's experience, you may well get more than you bargained for, and wish you hadn't gone, done or said where or what you did. Sometimes it pays not to advertise!  - Bill Moseley