The Power of Influence
Influence
• “To have an effect on something; power
to sway” (Encarta Dictionary)
• “The act or power of producing an effect
without apparent exertion or force or
direct exercise of command” (Merriam-
Webster)
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The good influence of
godly deeds and examples
• Young people on believers, 1 Tim 4:12
• Young men on opponents, Titus 2:6-8
• A godly spouse on partner, 1 Pet 3:1-2, 7
• A Christian on unbelievers, 1 Pet 2:11-12
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The Power of Evil Influences
(Prov 22:24-25; 1 Kgs 11:1-4)
• Corrupting influence of evil and error,
1 Cor 5:6-8
– Leaven: Causes fermentation (formation of
carbon dioxide gas) that expands dough
– Through the persuasion of false teachers,
Gal 5:7-9; Matt 16:11-12 (2 Tim 2:14, 16-18)
– Through the deception of lust, Prov 6:25-29;
Heb 3:13
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The Power of Evil Influences
(Prov 22:24-25; 1 Kgs 11:1-4)
• Corrupting influence of an unfaithful
Christian, 1 Cor 5:6-7; 8:10-13
– Our sin can influence other Christians to join
us in sin, Gal 2:11-13
– Our sin can influence unbelievers to reject
God, Rom 2:24, 1 Tim 6:1; Titus 2:5
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The Power of Evil Influences
(Prov 22:24-25; 1 Kgs 11:1-4)
• Corrupting influence of the ungodly,
Mark 15:11
– The influence of evil associations results in:
• Misery, Numbers 33:55
• Parental shame, Proverbs 28:7
• Moral defilement, 1 Corinthians 15:33-34
• Denial of Christ, John 18:18, 25
• Apostasy, 1 Kings 11:2, 4-6
• Divine wrath, 2 Chronicles 19:2; Proverbs 13:20
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Romans 1:16
THE INFLUENCE OF THE GOSPEL
PART 2
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Influence
• “To have an effect on something; power
to sway” (Encarta Dictionary)
• “The act or power of producing an effect
without apparent exertion or force or
direct exercise of command” (Merriam-
Webster)
8
The Influence of the Gospel
Romans 1:16
• Contrasted with the corrupting influence
of sin and error, 1 Cor 5:6-8; Col 1:3-6
– Power to change the mind, Eph 4:20-23
• Paul, Acts 26:9
– Power to change conduct, Eph 4:24; 5:8-10
• Paul, Acts 9:1, 20-21
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The Influence of the Gospel
Romans 1:16
• Contrasted with the corrupting influence
of sin and error, 1 Cor 5:6-8; Col 1:3-6
– Power to change spiritual condition
(from death to life), 2 Tim 1:10
• Paul, Acts 22:14-16; Rom 6:4
– Power to change darkness to light,
2 Cor 4:3-4
• Paul, Acts 9:17-18; 1 Tim 1:12-16
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The Power of Godly Influences
• The flavoring and preserving power of a
godly influence, Matt 5:13; Mark 9:50
– Flavor your environment with words of
goodness and deeds of kindness, Col 4:5-6
(Prov 15:1-2)
– Preserve godliness in a world of sin and
wrath, Ezekiel 22:30; 1 Peter 2:11-12
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The Power of Godly Influences
• Saving power of a godly influence,
1 Pet 3:1-2; 2:11-12
– Turn the attention of the lost to the saving
gospel of Christ
• Encouraging power of a godly influence,
2 Cor 9:1-2; Heb 10:24-25
– Your zeal to be faithful will stir up others
12
The Power of Godly Influences
• Evangelizing power of a godly influence,
1 Ths 1:8-10; Jno 1:43-46
– The news of conversions influences others
to greater faith
• Posthumous power of a godly influence,
Heb 11:4
– Your influence will live after you are gone
13
The Power of Influence
• Let no one say, “I have no influence!”
• As surely as the sun influences the
earth, your life influences many
people in unseen ways.
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The Power of Influence
• Let no one say, “I am not influenced
by others!”
• As surely as the moon influences the
tides, you are influenced by the
people around you and the values
they hold.
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The Power of Influence
• Pursue the influence of godliness
and flee the influence of the world,
1 Tim 6:11
• “Do not be overcome by evil, but
overcome evil with good”,
Rom 12:20-21
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