What Influences You Most?

Chuckle: The church custodian quit, and the pastor asked the organist if she would be able to clean the church. The organist thought before replying, "Do you mean that I now have to mind my keys and pews?"

Quote: "Control your thoughts and desires; they may break into words and actions at any moment." --Unknown source

"But they delight in doing everything the Lord wants; day and night they think about his law" (Psalm 1:2 NLT).

Everything you watch, read, or listen to influences your life. If you watch, read, or listen to wholesome materials, you will be influenced in a positive way. Of course the opposite is true as well. You may say: "I can watch trash on TV or read an off-color magazine or book without it affecting my thinking or the way I live." Let me explain why I believe this attitude to be wrong for Christians.

It's obvious that we have been influenced negatively by the things of the world if our actions become sinful. However, it may not be so obvious if only our thoughts are influenced. You can fool the people around you by playing the part of a faithful Christian while harboring sinful thoughts and desires. Failing to act on those secret desires does not mean you aren't sinning against God. Sins begin in our hearts and minds, but often don't remain there.

Remember, "Men look on outward appearances, but God looks upon the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7; Luke 16:15). "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7 KJV). "As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man" (Proverbs 27:19 NIV). Jesus said, "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:28 NIV).

Our sinful thoughts may not result in outward rebellion against God, but they can keep us from doing anything worthwhile for Him. If our minds dwell on ungodly things, we become apathetic toward God's work and disinterested in spiritual things. Here's a quick way to evaluate your heart and mind. Do you experience joy from studying God's Word and serving Him? If something else gives you greater joy, you have been influenced by the world.

Notice in our passage what makes devoted followers of God (Christ) happy -- the Word of God. It occupies first place in their order of priorities. They think about it day and night. They fill their minds with the things important to God. If you meditate on the Bible and absorb the godly principles that nourish your heart, mind, and spirit you will find fulfillment and happiness that only God can give. You will not focus on temporal things that soon pass away, but upon the eternal that can never be taken from you.

Love,  Jerry & Dotse