The Power Of Influence

Have you ever had a friend that was a bad influence on your life? We often convince ourselves that we are strong enough to not be influenced by others. Unfortunately, influence doesn’t work in the sense that you might be ‘influenced’ by someone if you aren’t careful or strong enough. Think of influence as a fact or a law. You ARE influenced. Think of how many times you told yourself your bad friend wasn’t influencing you only to find yourself acting just like them without even realizing it. Your will can’t overcome influence. Your will is determined by your influences. This understanding is powerful!
 
 Consider Galatians 5:17 which says, “For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.” Your sinful nature influences you to act evil and the Holy Spirit influences you to act like Jesus. Think of your bad friend telling you to steal something while your good friend is arguing with them telling you not to steal. This conflict is happening inside the life of a believer 24/7.
 
 The end of Galatians 5 shows us how we can tell if we are living under the influence of our flesh or the Spirit (fruit of the flesh and Spirit). It says, “those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.” How do you overcome the bad influence inside of you that is pushing you away from God? You crucify your sinful nature! Starve it to death! Don’t even think about how to gratify it. It’s dead (Romans 6–13).
 
 What are you allowing your ears to hear, eyes to watch and mind to think? If you want to get rid of fear, anxiety, guilt, and habitual sin, get into the word of God and ask Him for a revelation of what it means to die to yourself and live according to His Spirit. Set your mind on things above. Study His word, store it up in your heart and pray! Here are great places to start: Galatians 5, Romans 5–8, 1 John (the whole book), Ephesians (the whole book), 1 Thessalonians 4–5. When you do this, you allow Him to influence you and His influence changes your will which in return makes you PURE and HOLY!