I asked this question of the Bible Study group last evening, and I’m going to ask you to do what I instructed them to do. The question was, Who or what is allowed to influence your decision making? I told them to write the question and answer, and place it in a prominent place, so that they will be able to see it everyday. My reason for suggesting that is, depending on the response, they will have a clear picture of how and why their lives are operating the way they are. The power of influence, and the influencer, is just as important as your willingness to obey. We are all influenced by something or someone, hopefully, as children of God, He is the One who influences us the most.
Here are some ways in which we can be influenced, whether negatively or positively:
By People - 1 Kings 11-12 Solomon and Rehoboam
By your thoughts and emotions - 1 Kings 12 :25-33 Jeroboam
By pride- 1 Kings 13:1-10
By deception and disobedience- 1 Kings 13:11-33
By hardness of heart- 1 Kings 14:1-18
On the positive side of influence we find that when we allow the word of God to be the driving force behind the decisions we make, we’ll never live with the fear of failure or regret. In the scriptures mentioned above, all four individuals received specific instructions that would’ve made their lives a wonder to the world. But choosing their own courses set all of them on a path of destruction. I have shared the bad news first, but let’s look at what they forfeited. This message is a little different than you’re accustomed to. This time I’ll give you the scriptures instead of writing them out for you. This is called growth😊 the Word becomes more meaningful, when you have to go search for it on your own. Amen!
The positive side of influence and what is promised is limited only to the individual’s willingness to walk in obedience. The promises of God are always guaranteed when we are willing and obedient (Isaiah 1:19-21). He never gives a promise without conditions. In this way, we know what the blessings as well as the consequences entail. We can never accuse God of blindsiding us. We do the same thing with our children don’t we? This is the same reason why we have boundaries or laws. If we get pulled over for speeding, we can’t blame the car or feign ignorance. The law is clear. Our Father is the same way. The Word is and should be our greatest influencer. If we fail, it can be traced back to a blatant disregard for what we were told to do. Whenever we change the definition for what God’s instructions are, we remove conviction and conscience from the directives. We don’t get to decide or imagine what God meant. He speaks very clearly. I told the group that whenever God gives us a warning, it’s not given so that we can think about whether to obey or not.
1 Kings 2:1-4
1 Kings 3:1-15, 4:29-34
1 Kings 9:1-9
1 Kings 11:26-39
1 Kings 13:1-10
In the second set of scriptures, we read about compliance and attention to details, we read about instructions, warnings and promises. To adhere is to walk in blessings, to disobey is to live with chaos and death. God told Israel that He was placing life and death before them, He instructed them to choose life, not just for themselves but for their descendants after them( Deuteronomy 30). Like the people in our study today, they chose death.
May we choose the influence of the Word of God. May we walk in obedience to all He asks of us. Obedience isn’t burdensome, it’s holy boundaries with promised blessings. I pray that as you read the suggested chapters, that your eyes, ears and hearts will be opened to His influence. That you will be willing and obedient. Reapers of good and not evil. Our Heavenly Father wants the best for us. I pray you believe that.
Influences to avoid based on:
Positions and titles
Gifts and talent
Experiences-they have all the answers
Past performance or familiarity
Knowledge
Advice/counsel from the ungodly
And never be influenced by your or someone else’s emotions. Emotions will take you away from the will of God. And always think with the Word of God. Use the Word as a guide for every decision and you’ll never live outside of His will.
Written by permission of the Holy Spirit
W. Tennant
April 9, 2021