The Power of Influence

Proverbs 1:1-2

One of the biggest cop-outs in life is when people will blame their actions on someone or something other than themselves. It seems as if dealing with the consequences of bad decisions or choices is easier to face as long as we don’t have to take total accountability for what we have done.

As long as I can make you believe that the only reason I said what I said or done what I done was because of the influence of someone or something else other than myself then I am alright with you being upset as long as the picture that I have painted for you of who I am is still in tack. As long as you don’t see my true character, I’m good. As long as you still believe I can walk on water even when the truth is not only can I not walk on water, i can’t even swim. But as long as you still believe I’m all that, I’m good with you being angry with me for a little while; it’s all good.

And the truth of the matter is that we can go back to the beginning and see a great example of what we are talking about. Turn with me in your Bibles to the Book of the Beginnings, Genesis chapter 3:1-13 (READ)

So even from the beginning of the first act of defiance by man we see that we as mankind had and still have a problem with taking total accountability for our actions.

Conclusion:

You may be saying to yourself at this point; man, pastor sure has been sharing a lot about what we should not be doing but he has not said what we should be doing.

Well let me ease your mind right now; I know I have given you a number of scriptures talking about the negative aspects of the power of influence but I really have not shared much on the positive aspects of influence and will tell you that was intentional. It was intentional because the truth of the matter many of you will hear the words of this sermon and go on about your lives as if you were never here. Nothing will change because your heart has not changed. You still have a heart for the things of this world, you still have a heart for the people in your life, even if they are no good for you. It’s not until God has your heart that any of what was said today will make a difference in your life. But for those who have truly given God their heart, I did not say, those who do not sin or are perfect, I said for those who have truly given God their heart, here’s what I will say to you, that should motivate you not to position yourself to be influenced to operate outside the will of God...

What I would say to you are the Words of Jesus as recorded in Matthew 22:37-40

“Jesus said unto them, thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all they soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, thou shalt love they neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law ad the prophets.”

You don’t have to have a checklist that you carry around in your pockets that you can reference when it’s time to make those tough decisions or to stay away from temptation, all you need to do is love God with all of your heart, mind and soul and let the Holy Spirit be the ultimate influencer.

Now, in case you don’t know, an influencer is one who exerts influence : a person who inspires or guides the actions of others; often, specifically : a person who is able to generate interest in something