INFLUENCE GOOD & EVIL Mat. 5:13-16. Influence – good and evil Influence = a force that affects or has an effect upon others. Influence = a force that

INFLUENCE GOOD & EVIL

Mat. 5:13-16

INFLUENCE GOOD & EVIL

Mat. 5:13-16

Influence – good and evilInfluence – good and evil

Influence = a force that affects or has an effect Influence = a force that affects or has an effect upon others.upon others.

Certain people exert much influence: the rich, Certain people exert much influence: the rich, scientists, gov’t officials, teachers, authors …scientists, gov’t officials, teachers, authors …

But Christians are the light of the world …But Christians are the light of the world … Illuminate, Eph. 5:8 “you were once darkness but Illuminate, Eph. 5:8 “you were once darkness but

now you are light in the Lord” … Col. 1:13now you are light in the Lord” … Col. 1:13 Salt gives flavor, preserves, very beneficial.Salt gives flavor, preserves, very beneficial.

Influence of ChristInfluence of Christ

Jn. 1:4, “In Him was life, and the life was the Jn. 1:4, “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.”light of men.”

Christ has had more influence than any other Christ has had more influence than any other person living or dead.person living or dead.

His life … example … teaching … mighty works His life … example … teaching … mighty works … death, burial and resurrection.… death, burial and resurrection.

His ascensión – King of kings, Lord of lords.His ascensión – King of kings, Lord of lords.


The reality of influence… Cannot be denied The reality of influence… Cannot be denied that it exists… that it exists…

Commerical world: advertising, newspaper, Commerical world: advertising, newspaper, magazines, TVmagazines, TV

Why? Why? InfluencesInfluences! ! MovesMoves us to buy. us to buy.


In the family, the influence of parents and spouses is great, whether good or bad.

Parents influence…Eph. 6:4, “bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.”

Spouses influence…Eph. 5:22-28; 1 Pet. 3:1-7


Influence in religious matters …Our teaching and our example …Have the purpose of bringing others to the

Lord and of confirming and edifying other Christians.


Therefore, each member should examine with great care his/her spiritual influence.

Do we build others up? Eph. 4:16, every member doing its share causes growth of the body.

Or do we weaken them?


Bible teaching on the evil influence of some Bible characters.

Evil influence in some families

1 Kings 11:4, “his wives turned his heart after other gods.”

Deut. 17:17, “ Neither shall he multiply Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn wives for himself, lest his heart turn away.”away.”


1 Kings 21:25, The influence that Jezebel had on her husband, King Ahab.

“ But there was no one like Ahab who But there was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do wickedness in the sold himself to do wickedness in the sight of the LORD, because Jezebel his sight of the LORD, because Jezebel his wife stirred him up.”wife stirred him up.”


1 Kings 22:51 - 53, The bad influence that Ahab and Jesabel had on their son Ahaziah.

Ahaziah the son of Ahab … did evil in the Ahaziah the son of Ahab … did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of his father and in the way of his of his father and in the way of his mother…”mother…”


2 Chron. 21:6, the bad influence that Ahab’s daughter had on King Jehoram.

“And he walked in the way of the kings And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, just as the house of Ahab had of Israel, just as the house of Ahab had done, for he had the daughter of Ahab done, for he had the daughter of Ahab as a wife; and he did evil in the sight of as a wife; and he did evil in the sight of the LORD.”the LORD.”


2 Chronicles 22:2-52 Chronicles 22:2-5, the evil influence that , the evil influence that the granddaughter of Omri had over the granddaughter of Omri had over Ahaziah.Ahaziah.

““ Ahaziah .. His mother’s name Ahaziah .. His mother’s name waswas Athaliah the granddaughter of Omri. Athaliah the granddaughter of Omri. 3 3 He He also walked in the ways of the house of also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother advised him to do Ahab, for his mother advised him to do wickedly.”wickedly.”


There are valuable lessons in these examples:

In search for wife/husband, consider the factor of their influence over you.

1 Cor. 10:12, “Let him who thinks he stand take heed lest he fall.”


Our influence as parents…Our actions, words, attitude ...Influence the thoughts, values, decisions of

children, grandchildren, others.

Evil Influence of Life andTeaching

1 Kings 16:25, 261 Kings 16:25, 26, Jeroboam, son of Nebat, , Jeroboam, son of Nebat, who sinned …who sinned …

and made Israel sinand made Israel sin Became like a “proverb” in Israel, was Became like a “proverb” in Israel, was

repeated many times.repeated many times.

Jer. 23:13, the evil influence of the false prophets on the people.

““And I have seen folly in the prophets And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria:of Samaria:They prophesied by BaalThey prophesied by BaalAnd caused My people Israel to err.”And caused My people Israel to err.”

False prophetsFalse prophets

Evil Influence of Life andTeaching

Mark 15:11, the evil influence of the Jewish leaders on people. “ But the chief priests But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them.rather release Barabbas to them.””

Compare their attitude when Jesus entered the city, Mark 11:9, 10. “ Then those who Then those who went before and those who followed cried went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna! ‘Blessed out, saying: “Hosanna! ‘Blessed isis He who He who comes in the name of the LORD!’comes in the name of the LORD!’

Evil Influence of Life &Teaching

1 Cor. 5:6, the influence of sin on the congregation:

“a little leaven leavens the whole lump”.

Evil Influence of Life &Teaching

1 Cor. 15:331 Cor. 15:33, “evil companionships corrupt , “evil companionships corrupt good morals.” good morals.”

Includes false doctrine, Includes false doctrine, 2 Tim. 2:17, 182 Tim. 2:17, 18, , ““And their message will spread like cancer. And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of past; and they overthrow the faith of some.”some.”

Bible teaching on Good Influence

Congregations with good influence …Rom. 1:8, “that your faith is spoken of that your faith is spoken of

throughout the whole world.”throughout the whole world.” 1 Thess. 1:8, “For from you the word of the For from you the word of the

Lord has sounded forth, not only in Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.”so that we do not need to say anything.”


Hebrews 6:10,Hebrews 6:10, “ “For God For God isis not unjust to forget not unjust to forget your work and labor ofyour work and labor of[[a]] love which you have love which you have shown toward His name, shown toward His name, in thatin that you have you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”ministered to the saints, and do minister.”

Hebrews 11Hebrews 11, Many examples of good influence. , Many examples of good influence. Let’s be “imitators of those who through faith Let’s be “imitators of those who through faith

and patience inherit the promises.”and patience inherit the promises.”


Hebrews 13:7Hebrews 13:7, , Remember those who rule Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of outcome of theirtheir conduct. conduct.

Should be remembered and their faith Should be remembered and their faith should be imitated. should be imitated.

The example of Jesus is preeminentThe example of Jesus is preeminent Hebrews 12:1, “Hebrews 12:1, “ Therefore we also, since we are Therefore we also, since we are

surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us,us, and and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us”let us run with endurance the race that is set before us”

V. 2, “V. 2, “ looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of ourour faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”hand of the throne of God.”

Remember the “so great a cloud of witnesses” Remember the “so great a cloud of witnesses” (chap. 11)(chap. 11), , But look unto Jesus and run with perseverance.But look unto Jesus and run with perseverance.

The example of Jesus is preeminentThe example of Jesus is preeminent

Philippians 2:5-8Philippians 2:5-8, “, “ Let this mind be in you which Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, was also in Christ Jesus, 6 6 who, being in the form who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, with God, 7 7 but made Himself of no reputation, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, taking the form of a bondservant, andand coming in coming in the likeness of men. the likeness of men. 8 8 And being found in And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to became obedient to the point ofthe point of death, even the death, even the death of the cross.”death of the cross.”

If all of us imitate Him, there will be peace and If all of us imitate Him, there will be peace and unity in the church.unity in the church.

The good influence of the apostle PaulThe good influence of the apostle PaulThe good influence of the apostle PaulThe good influence of the apostle Paul

1 Cor. 4:16,17, remember “my ways in Christ” 1 Cor. 11:1, imitate him as he imitates Christ. Phil. 4:9, “The things which you learned and The things which you learned and

received and heard and saw in me, these do, received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.”and the God of peace will be with you.”

The good influence of the other apostlesThe good influence of the other apostles

In spite of their failings that we see in In spite of their failings that we see in MMLJ, they are outstanding in Acts of the MMLJ, they are outstanding in Acts of the Apostles. Apostles.

They were heroes of the faith, good They were heroes of the faith, good examples for all.examples for all.

The good influence of faithful eldersThe good influence of faithful eldersThe good influence of faithful eldersThe good influence of faithful elders

1 Pet. 5:2, 31 Pet. 5:2, 3, “, “Shepherd the flock of God Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly,not by compulsion but willingly,[[a]] not for not for dishonest gain but eagerly; dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 3 nor as being nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”being examples to the flock.”

The good influence of faithful evangelistsThe good influence of faithful evangelistsThe good influence of faithful evangelistsThe good influence of faithful evangelists

1 Tim. 4:12, “Let no one despise your youth, Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit,conduct, in love, in spirit,[[a]] in faith, in purity.” in faith, in purity.”

Timothy “was well spoken of,” Acts 16:2.Phil. 2:20, “ For I have no one like-minded, For I have no one like-minded,

who will sincerely care for your state.”who will sincerely care for your state.”

The good influence of many ChristiansThe good influence of many ChristiansThe good influence of many ChristiansThe good influence of many Christians

Stephen, Barnabas (Acts 11:24, “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith …”

Epaphras, Onesiphorus, Aquilla and Priscilla, Phoebe (a long list in

Rom. 16), Gaius, Epaphroditus, Stephanas… and many others.

The good influence of many ChristiansThe good influence of many Christians

THESE are the “light of the world”THESE are the “light of the world” Phil. 2:14, 15, “Phil. 2:14, 15, “ Do all things without Do all things without

complaining and disputing, complaining and disputing, 15 15 that you may that you may become blameless and harmless, children of become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.”shine as lights in the world.”

These show “the way” to the Lord!These show “the way” to the Lord!

What is the effect of my influence?What is the effect of my influence?What is the effect of my influence?What is the effect of my influence?

Upon my family? Upon my friends? Where am I leading people by my life &

teaching? Toward God or toward the world?

““He being dead still speaks!”He being dead still speaks!”

Abel still says, “live and serve God by faith.”Abel still says, “live and serve God by faith.” Noah and Moses still say, “build according to the Noah and Moses still say, “build according to the

pattern that God shows us.”pattern that God shows us.” Abraham still says “leave all to serve God.”Abraham still says “leave all to serve God.” Enoc still says, “keep on walking with God.”Enoc still says, “keep on walking with God.” Job still says, “persevere in spite of suffering.”Job still says, “persevere in spite of suffering.” Apostles still say, “we must obey God rather than Apostles still say, “we must obey God rather than

man.”man.”

Being Dead Still SpeaksBeing Dead Still Speaks

If I die today, being dead I continue If I die today, being dead I continue “speaking” –“speaking” –

The INFLUENCE of my life, example, The INFLUENCE of my life, example, works.works.

What will I be saying? What will I be saying?



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INFLUENCE GOOD & EVIL Mat. 5:13-16. Influence – good and evil Influence = a force that affects or has an effect upon others. Influence = a force that