Influence: August 6, 2013

TODAY’S WORD FOR TUESDAY AUGUST 6, 2013.

INFLUENCE

DEFINITION:  

The capacity or power of persons or things to produce effects on others by intangible or indirect means.

SCRIPTURE:

Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and pure children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. Philippians 2:14-15.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

We began training our children when they were very young concerning both good and bad influences that they would run into in life. We often discussed the influence that peers would have on their lives. We encouraged our children when they ran into negative influences to reverse the trait and offer a positive substitute so that they would be a positive influence on their peers.

As they grew older we often discussed the influences that so called "role models" have on lives including theirs. It is important for children today to be constantly reminded that role models are just human people that make mistakes. Therefore, it is important for a child to put Christ first in their lives and not people.

We set up general boundaries for our children when they were young and we could see as they got older how these boundaries helped govern our children's decision making.

It was very important to us to always let our children make choices. We would compliment them on good choices and caution them when we were concerned about a choice.

As the scripture says, we are living in a crooked and perverse generation. This is why our Christ-like influence on people is more vital than ever. In the verse above, Paul is telling the church at Philippi that they must shine as lights in the world. This is what we need to communicate to our children today. The stronger they are spiritually, the brighter their light will shine.

As parents we must train our children daily in the ways of the Lord. We need to start training them at an early age telling and showing them that as Christians they will stand alone many times in life because of their faith. This is why it is important that they choose friends that have the same Christian values as they do. The training they receive when they are young will go a long way in helping them to stay true to their faith in later years.

Children and adults have many influences on their lives today. Some of these are good and some bad. For just one example, it is hard to overestimate the ungodly influence questionable literature has upon an individual. Several murderers have said in prison that reading just one vicious romance book led them into crime.

England's John Angeli, (some have referred to him as being one of England's most honest men) said when he was getting quite old, that he never got over the evil effects of having to read in school a bad book for just fifteen minutes.

Today it is the media that has the greatest impact upon our society. Think about how the myriad of electronic devises available today has brought all sorts of evil influence right into the home. With the use of earphones it is very difficult for parents to really know what their children are listening to.

Hour after hour and day after day we are bombarded with objectionable material in the press, on television and radio and on the internet that can scarcely even be described.  This kind of influence on our children and their parents undermines their moral values and sense of what is right and what is wrong. Because of this bombardment of negative, satanic influences, it is no wonder we live in an "anything goes society." Is it any wonder that our families are dysfunctional and our world is wracked by insoluble problems?

What kind of evil influences are impacting your family each day? Have you evaluated what both you and your children watch, hear, and see on the television, the radio, computers, I-pods, internet, conversations and even the actions and deeds around your home or from your neighbors? As parents are you setting boundaries for your children and yourself?

What kind of influences is your family facing at school, at the work place or with friends? Are you aware of whom your children spend time with each day and what kind of activities they are involved in? Again we ask, "Are boundaries being set?" You need to eliminate the evil influences in your life and seek out positive influences. By doing this you will set a standard and example for your family. To begin on a positive note, read the Bible daily alone and with the family. Also then pray daily alone and with the family. Turn off the television if you have any concerns on the content. Watch carefully what your children are doing on the computer and their cell phones and IPods.

The apostle Paul advises us that we should quit arguing and complaining. Arguing and complaining among family members causes dissention and destroys the unity of the family. If your family is serving the Lord, He will be a unifying influence and enable you to live peaceably and in harmony.

Remember --- a family that eats dinner together, talks and listens together and reads the Bible and prays together will be putting positive values in their lives that will enable them to overcome the evil influences that they face. As you train your family to live lives that honor God, each of you will shine as bright lights in this dark and corrupt world.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Ephesians 6:10:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.

PRAYER:

Help me and my family to look to You for strength daily so we can turn away from evil influences in our lives. Give us the strength to cling to You and Your Word. Help us to live our lives honoring You so that we are a positive influence on those around us.