What type of influence are you having on society? Influence is defined as: “the act or power of producing an effect without apparent exertion of force or direct exercise of command…the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways” (Webster’s). Statements such as “he/she is a good influence” or “he/she is a bad influence” or others, indicated the ability of one person to influence the attitude or conduct of someone else, even without direct contact. Adults and children alike are influenced by the media, whether it be in written or visual format.

            The term “influence” is not utilized in the scriptures. It is, however, a well established principle. Of Solomon, king of Israel, God said, “I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there hath been none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee” (1 Kings 3:12). Even though Solomon was the possessor of such great wisdom, “his wives turned away his heart after other gods” (1 Kings 11:4). The power of influence is very strong.

            Influence is seen in two avenues: The outside influence that others have upon us, and the influence we have on others. In either capacity, we can readily see that no man is an island; what we do has an effect upon the outcome of our lives: our influence is either for good, or for evil. You’ve heard the rationale of “as long as it doesn’t affect others, we should be able to do what we please.” The error in that premise is that there is nothing we do that does not affect others; either by “apparent exertion of force or direct exercise of command, or the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways” (Ibid.).

            Influence is not inherently good or evil. But influence that does not lend itself to the physical and spiritual good of mankind is destructive. Evil influence can destroy individuals, homes, and nations. The apostle Paul wrote, “Evil companionships corrupt good morals” (1 Corinthians 15:33). When Solomon was instructing his son, he said, “My son, if sinners entice thee, Consent thou not. If they say, Come with us (companionship, ret), Let us lay wait for blood…walk not thou in the way of them; Refrain thy foot from their path: For their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed blood” (Proverbs 1:10-11, 15-16). Individuals want, so very much, to be accepted by their peers. They know certain conduct is wrong, illegal, or immoral. Yet, they do not want to be rejected by their friends, thus, they are influenced to do evil. An individual would be hard pressed to find one person that has not been influenced by others to do something they did not later regret.

            The other influence exerted in life is that which we have on others. That’s one influence we have control over. When Jesus was asked, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law? And he said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second like unto it is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments the whole law hangeth, and the prophets” (Matthew 22:36-40). When man is motivated by the principle to “love thy neighbor as thyself” (Ibid.), there will be a conscious effort to be aware of actions. The apostle Paul told Timothy, “be thou an ensample to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). Should not that be the desire of all men? Think about the influence we have upon the people close to us: Husbands and wives influence each other every day. Parents influence their children to either good or evil. It has been said that actions speak louder than words. It’s not what parents tell their children, as much as it is what the children see in their parents. Have you ever met a parent that wanted their child to reach maturity, only to be incarcerated for violating the law? Yet, parents will often show a disregard for authority in their own lives, and the children learn the lesson well. Parents that say, “you shouldn’t do that,” yet, they do the very thing they tell their children not to do. By what influence do you think the children will be affected, the verbal admonition, or the physical action of the parents?

            Regardless of a separatist attitude that we may support, the fact is, we are all in this together. We will either be a good influence on those around us, or we will allow those around us to corrupt the good morals we desire to achieve. It’s true that there are wicked people in the world, determined to do their very best to destroy others; but as a rule, most people do not consciously set out to destroy, they are just unaware of the influence they exert.

            Mankind can be an influence for righteousness, when following righteousness. And in that vein, the only righteousness that will accomplish good is the righteousness of God: God’s standard of good (Romans 10:2-3). What type of influence are you having on your family, friends and nation?