LET'S TALK ABOUT BEING A CHRISTIAN INFLUENCE ON OTHERS

It doesn't take much to be an influence. All of us influence someone whether we realize it or not. The question is not whether we are going to be an influence, the question is, "How much and what kind of influence do we want to be?"

 One person has said:

Your influence is negative or positive, never neutral.

Assuming that to be true, I suggest that as long as we are going to be influences, we might want to take intentional steps toward being a positive one.  If we don't, we have no right to complain about where our society is headed.  Without positive influence, there will only be negative direction for society.  It is never neutral.

Chuck Swindoll believes that there is a great deal of negative influence in our homes.  In his book, Strike the Original Match he points to a significant need for positive male leadership when he writes:

A Christian psychologist friend of mine told me that the number one problem he deals with in his busy practice is the passive male.

So many men today find it difficult (impossible?) to take the proper role of authority in their home.

Many have voiced concern about the moral condition of society.  Most would agree that this moral decline is due in large part to the declining conditions of our homes.  I suggest in light of Swindoll's observations, that if we really want to do something about this, we might need to look at intentionally encouraging the male leadership of our homes to step up to the responsibility of being a positive influences.  Spiritual leaders do not happen by accident.  They are trained and equipped and encouraged.  What kind of homes we have tomorrow will result in what kind of men and women we develop today.  If there is a dearth of leadership today, it is because there was a dearth of example and equipping by the previous generation.  If the next generation is going to survive, this generation must equip them to be good leaders with a positive biblical influence.  Influence is both taught and caught.

Socrates said correctly:

            Let him that would move the world, first move himself.

Leadership and influence is not limited to parenting, however.  Every believer has  been called to be an influence for the sake of the Gospel.  Whether you are in class or in the office or in a gym or on the golf course, you are an influence by how you behave and how you live.

In his powerful book The Holiness of God, R.C. Sproul observed that unbelievers often feel uneasy in the presence of an obedient Christian. The holiness of God reflected in a believer's life makes the non-Christian uncomfortable. Sproul then told the following true incident to illustrate his point.

A well-known professional golfer was playing in a tournament with President Gerald Ford, fellow pro Jack Nicklaus, and Billy Graham. After the round was over, one of the other pros on the tour asked, "Hey, what was it like playing with the President and Billy Graham?" The pro said with disgust, "I don't need Billy Graham stuffing religion down my throat!" With that he headed for the practice tee. His friend followed, and after the golfer had pounded out his fury on a bucket of golf balls, he asked, "Was Billy a little rough on you out there?" The pro sighed and said with embarrassment, "No, he didn't even mention religion."

Sproul commented, "Astonishingly, Billy Graham had said nothing about God, Jesus, or religion, yet the pro stomped away after the game accusing Billy of trying to ram religion down his throat." What had happened? Simply this: The evangelist had so reflected a Christ-like influence that his presence made the pro feel uncomfortable.   Billy Graham was an influence, without saying a word.

I wonder how many of us have such influence on others that our mere presence makes people aware of the reality of Christ!  This influence, or lack of it, is leadership.  We are either influencing people positively for the Kingdom or negatively.  There is no neutral ground.

"Well," someone might say, "How do I become a more positive influence, a more positive leader for the Kingdom?"  How do we begin?  Well, I suggest we start by looking at the example of Christ.

Oswald Chambers said:

It is the most natural thing to be like the person you live with most, therefore live most with Jesus Christ.

No one has influenced mankind more than the Son of God.  No one is a better example of a spiritual leader than Christ.  If we want to be positive spiritual leaders, we need to know Him, His Word, and his Ways.  Getting to know Him, walking with Him, fellowshipping with Him, worshiping Him, praying to Him, learning from Him and His Word, in short, spending time with Him; when we allow Jesus to influence every area of our lives, we will unavoidably be a positive influence in the lives of others.  It's a matter of priority.  Do you want to be a positive influence for Christ, or a negative influence.  There is not much middle ground.

I like what Joshua said, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!"

May we each have that kind of positive influence on those around us!