It was probably around 9pm when I answered an unexpected knock at the door whilst still living at my parent's home. The open door revealed a boy in his late teens wearing a laminated badge on a lanyard. He carried a folder, and beside him was a large box filled with candy and other items to sell. He went into his spiel before I could say anything, something to the effect of: "Would you be willing to buy some items to keep teens like me out of gangs and off the streets?" The irony of the situation was not lost on me: a teenager was selling stuff door-to-door late at night to keep teens off the streets! It seemed to me this industrious young man was not at risk of being drawn into a gang or homelessness. He appeared ambitious and driven to excel, one who was a positive influence on others rather than being dragged down himself.
People have the ability to influence others in powerful ways, for good or evil. When high-energy kids join together in activities, their combined power seems to multiply exponentially. I have recently heard people who effectively market or blog on social media as "influencers." There is a direct correlation between their attractive appearance or persona which drives interest and sales. In the church - especially when I was a youth pastor - it was a common desire of parents to find godly influences for their children, whether at church groups or peers. I once had an awkward encounter after moving to Australia where a man in another state asked over the phone if I would have a chat with his teen son. "He won't listen to me," he said as a tragic matter-of-fact. "Sometimes it takes someone other than a parent. Maybe he will listen to you."
I am convinced as a dad who resided with his son, the man with whom I spoke had more opportunity to positively influence his kids than a stranger ever could. That discussion had an impact on me as I gave the situation thought: instead of hoping others will be a "good" influence on our kids, what if our aim was shifted to see them come to actually know Jesus as LORD, having sanctified appetites and holy desires? Here is a question: how are Christians able to stay holy and pure in a world defiled with sin? It isn't because of outward influences, but because the life of Jesus Christ is within them. When a woman is engaged to a man she loves and is intent on marrying, she will not look twice at other men. All the rude cat-calls, requests for her number, or unwanted gifts will not shift her affections from her beloved. Now if her relationship with her fiancee is going through a rocky patch, the draw towards other people and different relationships gains strength. Though the romantic aspect is not the same, a similar dynamic is a work in the life of a Christian. When our relationship with Jesus is neglected or suffers, we become dull to God's voice and numb to godly influences. Youth groups and involvement in church activities are not antidotes to wayward hearts.
Are you easily influenced by this world or one who influences others to live godly as you follow Jesus in this world? No amount of "good influences" will change the heart or mind of a person, but as children of God through faith in Jesus we can be an example of the parent, spouse, neighbour, employee, employer, and friend God has called and empowered us to be. If all we want is for young people to stay out of trouble and off the streets our desires fall woefully short of the calling to present ourselves as living sacrifices unto God as His faithful servants (Romans 12). Romans 12 concludes with this Romans 12:21, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." This is our birthright as those born again by the power of the Holy Spirit: because Jesus lives in us you and I are the influencers and are never at the mercy of evil. It's good to surround kids with good influences, but they need a change of heart. We need more than influence from Jesus to be saved from ourselves and sin. We must be born again and abide in Christ to be transformed into the influencers He has called us to be.
People have the ability to influence others in powerful ways, for good or evil. When high-energy kids join together in activities, their combined power seems to multiply exponentially. I have recently heard people who effectively market or blog on social media as "influencers." There is a direct correlation between their attractive appearance or persona which drives interest and sales. In the church - especially when I was a youth pastor - it was a common desire of parents to find godly influences for their children, whether at church groups or peers. I once had an awkward encounter after moving to Australia where a man in another state asked over the phone if I would have a chat with his teen son. "He won't listen to me," he said as a tragic matter-of-fact. "Sometimes it takes someone other than a parent. Maybe he will listen to you."
I am convinced as a dad who resided with his son, the man with whom I spoke had more opportunity to positively influence his kids than a stranger ever could. That discussion had an impact on me as I gave the situation thought: instead of hoping others will be a "good" influence on our kids, what if our aim was shifted to see them come to actually know Jesus as LORD, having sanctified appetites and holy desires? Here is a question: how are Christians able to stay holy and pure in a world defiled with sin? It isn't because of outward influences, but because the life of Jesus Christ is within them. When a woman is engaged to a man she loves and is intent on marrying, she will not look twice at other men. All the rude cat-calls, requests for her number, or unwanted gifts will not shift her affections from her beloved. Now if her relationship with her fiancee is going through a rocky patch, the draw towards other people and different relationships gains strength. Though the romantic aspect is not the same, a similar dynamic is a work in the life of a Christian. When our relationship with Jesus is neglected or suffers, we become dull to God's voice and numb to godly influences. Youth groups and involvement in church activities are not antidotes to wayward hearts.
Are you easily influenced by this world or one who influences others to live godly as you follow Jesus in this world? No amount of "good influences" will change the heart or mind of a person, but as children of God through faith in Jesus we can be an example of the parent, spouse, neighbour, employee, employer, and friend God has called and empowered us to be. If all we want is for young people to stay out of trouble and off the streets our desires fall woefully short of the calling to present ourselves as living sacrifices unto God as His faithful servants (Romans 12). Romans 12 concludes with this Romans 12:21, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." This is our birthright as those born again by the power of the Holy Spirit: because Jesus lives in us you and I are the influencers and are never at the mercy of evil. It's good to surround kids with good influences, but they need a change of heart. We need more than influence from Jesus to be saved from ourselves and sin. We must be born again and abide in Christ to be transformed into the influencers He has called us to be.
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