November 6, 2024
“ Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
Our lives are shaped by numerous influences. Often without our conscious awareness, we absorb information from our surroundings and the things we observe. Over time, this information can subtly transform our actions, speech, and thought processes.
Now this isn't necessarily negative; in fact, it can be quite beneficial at times. Yet, like so many things in life, it can become hazardous when we allow the wrong influences to shape our lives, or even when we let even the positive influences hold too much sway. As followers of Jesus, the main influence in our hearts and lives is God and His word. As “Jesus said, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (John 14:6)
We can decide what our who influences our lives. The people we surround ourselves with, the content we consume, the music we listen to, and the places we frequent all have the power to alter our viewpoints and attitudes.
Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” To be sure, we can try our best to keep influences that we know will distract us from our minds and our hearts. At times it may be difficult or even unavoidable if we are put into situations that we cannot control. There are a few things we can control, so we focus on them.
The Bible's guidance to us is to “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” (Proverbs 13:20) If we spend time around people who have Godly habits and positive attitudes, we can be pushed by this influence to grow. This is the value of communit, what a gift to have individuals in our lives who by their influence can encourage our growth and development.
Second, what we watch and listen to and read also has power over our lives. In today’s world, we constantly receiving opinions and influencers messages over social media and other forms of entertainment, such as movies and music. This is not necessarily all bad. The point I wish to make is perhaps best summed up by the Apostle Paul in the following:
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)
The Apostle tells us to think about things that are true and good. These words in Philippians 4:8 call us to analyze the media we are consuming and its influence. Is it true and good?
Our greatest influence should always be God and His word.
Remember Jesus words? “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)
We honor God by surrounding ourselves with influences that encourage us to draw nearer to Him.
Our Verse today are good words for us to end on.
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