Genesis 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
Influence is the capacity to have an effect on the behavior, character, or personality of a person or something. Influence could either be exercised positively or negatively and our aim must be to channel influence in the positive direction. In the opening scripture, God destined that we have dominion and a word like subdue connotes rulership. This dominion or rulership is influence.
Influence goes beyond popularity. When you’re popular, you just have the approval of people mainly because of your gift, skill, wealth, etc. but when you’re influential, you have the power to affect and touch the hearts of people. Once you lose the things you have that make people like you or people better than you emerge, you are no more popular.
In Proverbs 4:23, the Bible tells us to guard our hearts with all diligence, for out of it flows the issues of life. If you can touch someone’s heart, you consequently affect their actions and they don’t just agree with what you say, they live by what you say. Now, if what you say leads people to destruction, then it’s a bad influence but God wants us to change people’s hearts towards doing that which pleases Him.
I saw this powerful quote that says: Popularity changes with time but influence changes the direction of the times. Influence reigns even after death but popularity has an expiry date because there would always be people who are wiser, more gifted, and good-looking than you.
Your influence over someone’s life by the impact you made in their life remains with them forever.
Psalm 8:6 says You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet. People of influence don’t behave like they’re in charge of another person’s life by dictating to them what to do. Rather they are examples, and by their lives, they speak volumes. 1 Peter 5:3 says, not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. Based on Matthew 5:13-16, we are both salt and light. Our lives must add flavor to the lives of others. We must bring illumination to others when there is darkness. Our lights must shine for others to see.
This is just like the concept of power and wisdom. When you have power and wisdom, you create a positive impact or influence on others’ lives but power without wisdom from above will corrupt lives and lead people to hell because they look up to a person who is doing the wrong things. In a world today where people are called celebrities and influential people without considering their character, more people are influenced negatively.
We are to reconcile others to Christ but truly speaking, without influence there is no way that can be done. Positive influence sets you apart because you are unique and have a different way of doing things and once people see the results produced by that way of life, they would be attracted to that way of life.
The Word In Clarity 