Definition and Concept
Influence, in a biblical context, refers to the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something. It is a pervasive theme throughout Scripture, where individuals, communities, and even nations are depicted as having the power to shape and mold the lives and destinies of others. Influence can be both positive and negative, and the Bible provides numerous examples and teachings on how believers are to wield their influence in accordance with God's will.

Biblical Examples of Positive Influence
1. Jesus Christ: The ultimate example of positive influence is Jesus Christ, whose life and teachings have transformed countless lives. His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is a profound example of how His words continue to influence moral and ethical standards. Jesus calls His followers to be "the light of the world" (Matthew 5:14), emphasizing the role of believers in illuminating truth and righteousness.

2. The Apostles: The apostles, particularly Peter and Paul, were instrumental in spreading the Gospel and establishing the early Church. Their influence is evident in the growth of Christianity and the epistles they wrote, which continue to guide and instruct believers. Acts 2:41-42 describes how Peter's preaching on the day of Pentecost led to the conversion of about three thousand souls, showcasing the power of Spirit-led influence.

3. Esther: Queen Esther's influence saved the Jewish people from annihilation. Her courage and strategic thinking, as recorded in the Book of Esther, demonstrate how God can use individuals in positions of influence to accomplish His purposes. Esther 4:14 highlights her pivotal role: "And who knows if perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

Biblical Warnings Against Negative Influence
1. Jezebel: Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab, is a prime example of negative influence. Her idolatry and manipulation led Israel into sin and provoked God's judgment. 1 Kings 21:25 states, "There was never anyone like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the LORD, incited by his wife Jezebel."

2. The Pharisees: Jesus frequently warned against the influence of the Pharisees, whose legalism and hypocrisy misled many. In Matthew 23:13 , Jesus says, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces; you yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter."

3. Peer Pressure: The Bible also addresses the influence of peers, cautioning believers to choose their companions wisely. Proverbs 13:20 advises, "Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm."

Principles for Exercising Godly Influence
1. Be Salt and Light: Believers are called to be "the salt of the earth" and "the light of the world" (Matthew 5:13-16). This metaphor underscores the importance of preserving goodness and illuminating truth in a world prone to decay and darkness.

2. Live a Life of Integrity: A life of integrity and righteousness enhances one's influence. Proverbs 11:30 states, "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise."

3. Speak the Truth in Love: Ephesians 4:15 encourages believers to "speak the truth in love," balancing honesty with compassion to positively influence others.

4. Lead by Example: The apostle Paul exhorted Timothy to be an example to believers "in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12). Leading by example is a powerful form of influence that inspires others to follow Christ.

Conclusion
The Bible provides a comprehensive understanding of influence, highlighting its potential for both good and evil. Believers are called to exercise their influence responsibly, aligning their actions and words with the teachings of Scripture to glorify God and edify others.1. (n.) Power or authority to change an action or situation; excellence of character or intellect, wealth, etc.; reputation; acknowledged ascendency; as, he is a man of influence in the community.

2. (n.) A flowing in or upon; influx.

3. (n.) Hence, in general, the bringing about of an effect, physical or moral, by a gradual process; controlling power quietly exerted; agency, force, or tendency of any kind which the sun exerts on animal and vegetable life; the influence of education on the mind; the influence, according to astrologers, of the stars over affairs.

4. (n.) Induction.

5. (v. t.) To control or move by power, physical or moral; to affect by gentle action; to exert an influence upon; to modify, bias, or sway; to move; to persuade; to induce.

1642. elattoo -- to make less (in rank or influence)
... to make less (in rank or influence). Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: elattoo
Phonetic Spelling: (el-at-to'-o) Short Definition: I make less, make inferior ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1642.htm - 6k

2233. hegeomai -- to lead, suppose
... [2233 ("an official who ") carries important responsibility and hence "casts a heavy
vote" (influence) -- and hence deserve cooperation by those who are led ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2233.htm - 9k

1607. ekporeuomai -- to make to go forth, to go forth
... from," intensifying 4198 , "take a particular ") -- properly, go out from, emphasizing
the come () of going through a particular or -- ie the influence on the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1607.htm - 9k

1849. exousia -- power to act, authority
... Spelling: (ex-oo-see'-ah) Short Definition: power, authority, weight Definition:
(a) power, authority, weight, especially: moral authority, influence, (b) in a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1849.htm - 8k

600. apokathistemi -- to restore, give back
... dominating power. 600/ ("reestablish") emphasizes from the former, negative
influence to enjoy what is forward (the restoration). Word ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/600.htm - 8k

3551. nomos -- that which is assigned, hence usage, law
... Short Definition: a law, the Mosaic Law Definition: usage, custom, law; in NT: of
law in general, plur: of divine laws; of a force or influence impelling to ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3551.htm - 7k

4190. poneros -- toilsome, bad
... From a derivative of ponos; hurtful, ie Evil (properly, in effect or influence,
and thus differing from kakos, which refers rather to essential character, as ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4190.htm - 8k

4507. rhuparia -- to make filthy
... Cognate: 4507 (a feminine noun) -- properly, dirt (filth); (figuratively) moral
filth that soils (desecrates) the soul, emphasizing a (influence) of moral filth ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4507.htm - 6k

1982. episkiazo -- to overshadow
... derivative of skia; to cast a shade upon, ie (by analogy) to envelop in a haze of
brilliancy; figuratively, to invest with preternatural influence -- overshadow ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1982.htm - 7k

1594. eknepho -- to become sober (after drunkenness)
... out of the stupor of spiritual delusion (apathy); "to to one's senses" (, 1, 30.26);
sober-minded because "snapped " the intoxicating influence of sin (darkness ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1594.htm - 7k

4575. ma'adannah -- bonds, bands
ma'adannah. 4574, 4575. ma'adannah. 4575a . bonds, bands. Transliteration:
ma'adannah Phonetic Spelling: (mah-ad-an-naw') Short Definition: influence. influence ...
/hebrew/4575.htm - 5k

1523. gil -- to rejoice
... Or (by permutation) guwl {gool}; a primitive root; properly, to spin round (under
the influence of any violent emotion), ie Usually rejoice, or (as cringing ...
/hebrew/1523.htm - 6k

3027. yad -- hand
... handed (1), hands (303), hands* (1), have* (1), help* (1), helpless* (1), herself
(1), himself (1), hold* (1), human agency (1), idle* (1), influence (1), jaws ...
/hebrew/3027.htm - 8k

7937. shakar -- to be or become drunk or drunken
... A primitive root; to become tipsy; in a qualified sense, to satiate with a stimulating
drink or (figuratively) influence -- (be filled with) drink (abundantly ...
/hebrew/7937.htm - 6k

The Alchemy of Influence
... THE ALCHEMY OF INFLUENCE. ... It is the Law of Influence that we become like those whom
we habitually admire: these had become like because they habitually admired. ...
/.../the alchemy of influence.htm

The Influence of Tradition.
... IV. THE INFLUENCE OF TRADITION. "Making the word of God of none effect through
your traditions: and many such like things ye do.""Mark 7:13. ...
/.../percival/sermons at rugby/iv the influence of tradition.htm

Home Influence.
... CHAPTER V. HOME INFLUENCE. "By the soft green ... guiding light!". The Christian
home has an influence which is stronger than death. It is ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/philips/the christian home/chapter v home influence.htm

The Author, and his Influence in the Later Church
... DIONYSIUS THE AREOPAGITE I."THE AUTHOR, AND HIS INFLUENCE IN THE LATER
CHURCH. The writings here translated are among the extant ...
/.../rolt/dionysius the areopagite/i the author and his influence.htm

The Purifying Influence of Hope
... I. JOHN THE PURIFYING INFLUENCE OF HOPE. 'And every man that hath this hope
in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.'"1 John 3:3. ...
/.../the purifying influence of hope.htm

Influence of the Moon and Stars on Men.
... Book XIII. 6. Influence of the Moon and Stars on Men. Let us now, then,
give heed to the very letter of the passage, and first let ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/6 influence of the moon.htm

The Marvelous Influence of the Bible Declares Its Super-Human ...
... Chapter Eight The Marvelous Influence of the Bible Declares its Super-Human
Character. The influence of the Bible is world-wide. ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter eight the marvelous influence.htm

The Influence of Dionysius in Religious History
... THE MYSTICAL THEOLOGY THE INFLUENCE OF DIONYSIUS IN RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
By WJ Sparrow-Simpson THE significance of the teaching of ...
/.../rolt/dionysius the areopagite/the influence of dionysius in.htm

Influence of the Members of the Kingdom of God in Renewing the ...
... CHAPTER IX. SECOND COURSE OF EXTENDED LABOURS IN GALILEE. II. Influence of the Members
of the Kingdom of God in Renewing the World. Section 152. ...
/.../ii influence of the members.htm

"Attracted by the Influence"
... CHAPTER XIX "Attracted by the Influence". "It seems to have been a mistake
to imagine that the Divine Majesty on high was too exalted ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter xix attracted by the.htm

Influence (13 Occurrences)
... to change an action or situation; excellence of character or intellect, wealth,
etc.; reputation; acknowledged ascendency; as, he is a man of influence in the ...
/i/influence.htm - 11k

Zoroastrianism
... RELATION TO ISRAEL 1. Influence on Occident 2. Popular Judaism 3. Possible Theological
Influence 4. Angelology and Demonology 5. Eschatology 6. Messiah 7 ...
/z/zoroastrianism.htm - 17k

Gnosticism
...INFLUENCE AND DEVELOPMENT OF GNOSTICISM 1. Not a Heresy of the Humbler Classes 2.
Cerinthus: His Teaching 3. The Gospel of John 4. Various Sects (1) The ...
/g/gnosticism.htm - 38k

Reach (63 Occurrences)
... a shell. 7. (vt) Hence, to extend an action, effort, or influence to;
to penetrate to; to pierce, or cut, as far as. 8. (vt) To ...
/r/reach.htm - 27k

Command (442 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To have within a sphere of control, influence, access, or vision;
to dominate by position; to guard; to overlook. 4. (vt ...
/c/command.htm - 36k

Sway (7 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) To influence or direct by power and authority; by persuasion, or by moral
force; to rule; to govern; to guide. ... 7. (vi) To have weight or influence. ...
/s/sway.htm - 9k

Armenian
... As far as there was any Christianity in Armenia before Gregory's time, it had been
almost exclusively under Syrian influence, from Edessa and Samosata. ...
/a/armenian.htm - 18k

Magus
... Many miracles also were performed by Philip, sick persons cured, and demons cast
out; and Simon fell under the influence of all these things, both of the ...
/m/magus.htm - 23k

Latin (2 Occurrences)
... The vernacular Latin had its own history and development with great influence on
the ecclesiastical terminology of the West. ...Influence du Latin sur le Grec. ...
/l/latin.htm - 28k

Impression (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of impressing, or the state of being impressed; the communication
of a stamp, mold, style, or character, by external force or by influence. ...
/i/impression.htm - 8k

How much influence is the Bible supposed to have on society? | GotQuestions.org

What is Hellenism, and how did it influence the early church? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Plato? How did Platonism / Platonic thought influence society in Bible times? | GotQuestions.org

Influence: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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