Sunday Devotion: Power of Influence

          

"As females, we have more power than we know what to do with. If we can learn to lean on Jesus and allow Him to use that influence to enrich His kingdom, just think how many hearts we can reach!

In society today, we see the negative effects of a woman’s influence. Instead of using her body for God’s glory, she has exploited it to curve men’s attention to herself. Instead of using her words for pleasant admirations, she speaks foul language and uses conniving attitudes to fulfill material desires. This is not how the King wants His daughters to act.

“To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words; which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God. For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead” (Proverbs 2:16-18).

In the Book of Proverbs, we are warned of the ways in which not to act. What is more, gentlemen are expected not to give in to such women. Not just to avoid giving in physically, but also emotionally. God cares about men’s emotional states just as much a woman’s. The Scripture is clear that young men must also work on guarding their hearts as well. Yes, ladies, men do have hearts!

“My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding: that thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge. For the lips of a strange woman drop as a honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: but her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell. Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them. Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth. Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house” (Proverbs 5:1-8).

Gentlemen, you are not exempt. You have a different kind of power of influence. While a woman more than likely uses her influence to manipulate others to do what she wants, you on the other hand are more bold and strong. The most attractive part of the power of influence for you is that first word, “power.”

A perfect example is Jacob using his power of influence to gain the birthright from his twin and older brother, Esau. Esau was only older by like two seconds, but here’s the deal: first-born sons in those days were supposed to get a special blessing from their father. This could include giving them all of the father’s possessions and livestock. It could mean land and also money. Basically, it was a very honorable blessing, one that Jacob managed to buy with one sorry bowl of soup.

Jacob was always jealous of his brother. Even as they were in the womb, they fought and their mother Rebekah was confused:

“And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to inquire of the LORD. And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger. And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau. And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau’s heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them” (Genesis 25:22-26).

 

There came a point when they grew up and Jacob was preparing some stew or soup. Esau, a cunning hunter, came from the field and was faint. So, naturally, he asked his younger brother for some of the food:

“And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: and Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint” (Genesis 25:29-30).

Jacob seized the opportunity to use his power of influence on his brother!

“And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?

And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.

Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright” (Genesis 25:31-34).

This “power of influence” is a powerful tool, and if the heart has wrong intentions, it can cause some deadly damage. With actions and words, a message is sent to the other person. Verbally and nonverbally, we are given power to influence our world. 

How will you use it?"

- Excerpt from Chapter 8  of my new book "The Palace Keepers: Protecting the Purity of the Heart", available here for Kindle/iPad/Tablet users or here in paperback