The Wise Use Of Influence

"Ye are the light of the world.... Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."-- Mat_5:14-16.

INFLUENCE MAY be defined as the flowing in of our soul to stimulate and help, or to humiliate others. The law of action and leisure, of attraction and disgust is always at work, in virtue of which it may be truly said that no one lives or dies to himself. The position of each atom of sand upon the seashore affects the position of all others, and the quality of our personal character is more persistent than a good or bad feeling. What we are affects others much more deeply than what we say. Probably waves of spiritual influence are continually going out from our inmost nature, and it is the impact of these upon those around us which makes it easier or harder for them to realize their highest ideals.

The first circle which we can touch and influence is that of our friends. Our encouragement to them may be in sweetness or in unpleasantness, but whatever we do or say, we must see that we are absolutely true and faithful (Pro_27:6-9 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. The full soul loathes a honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet. As a bird that wandered from her nest, so is a man that wondered from his place. Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.) Sincerity means to be without the wax which the cabinet-maker may put into the cracks of the wood to make it appear sound. It is the true and pure soul that most readily and forcibly helps another. Do not be selfish in your friendship, but always give out as much and more than you expect to receive. Love is a tender plant, and needs culturing. We must not presume that it is able to thrive without light and truth.

The second circle of influence is that of our associates. The great world of men and women may not appreciate our copy of the Beatitudes of the Kingdom, but still we will be criticize, hunt, and all kinds of evil well be said against you incorrectly; nevertheless, we must continue to bless the world by the silent and gracious influence of holy living. Hated, we must bless; wronged, we must tolerate; defamed, we must pray. We must be as salt to our persecutors and as light to our defamers. It is wonderful how love and consistent, patient, prayerful influence will finally overcome; to the glory of God the Father.

We are to be as salt; i.e. our consistent holy living will act as antiseptic to catch evil. We are to be the light of the world. Inconsistency and cowardice are like bushels which are put over the lamp. Let us put all these hindrances away, so that the light which is within us may shine out on the dark world.

PRAYER
Grant, we plead of You, O God, that our behavior may be as real as the Gospel of Christ. May the savoir of Christ be in our influence, His light in our face, and His love in our hearts. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.