"Who and what is influencing you?"

With SLU coming up, I want to talk about leadership and what leadership is. Leadership is influence, nothing more and nothing less. So, if we are going to be leader’s and influence others, we have to reel in who and what is influencing us.

Covid, changed the game. Zoom calls for school. Elearning etc.

Research states that 44% of Generation Z and Millennials have increased their use of social media as a direct result of COvid.

59% has increased their gaming.

In and of themselves, these things are not bad. But, God is calling us to be good stewards with our time… and not so much media consumers, but media leveragers.

Media and Culture.

Proverbs 4:23 “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

One social media company’s goal is to “reset” generation z’s world view.

Guard you heart, what flows through your eyes and into your mind flows into your heart and it truly does rewire your identity.

2. Friends

You are the sum of the people you hangout with.

Proverbs 11:30 “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives.”

Proverbs 13:20 “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”

Proverbs 14:7-9 “Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips. The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception. Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright.”

Proverbs 22:24-25 “Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.”

Who is in your circle and who do you need to escort out?

3. Dating.

If you are dating someone, I’d ask myself this question.. Is God pleased with your relationship?

Proverbs 7:6–27 NIV

At the window of my house I looked down through the lattice. I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who had no sense. He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in. Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent. (She is unruly and defiant, her feet never stay at home; now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.) She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said: “Today I fulfilled my vows, and I have food from my fellowship offering at home. So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you! I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning; let’s enjoy ourselves with love! My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey. He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon.” With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk. All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life. Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say. Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng. Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.

Solomon is stating that it’s easier to fall in the trap of lust rather than love.

Right now, it is more important for you as a teenager to focus on becoming the one instead of finding the one.

5. Proverbs 1:8-9

Proverbs 1:8–9 NIV

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.