We live in a world filled with “influence”

The last 20 years has created a world that has becoming intertwined with not just local but with Global Influence

We are influenced in two different ways ~ internally (what do I want to do?) and externally (what is my environment telling me to do?)

Day of Pentecost

Acts 2:14-21

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning!

No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

“‘In the last days, God says,
 I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.

Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.

I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke.

The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood    before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.

And everyone who calls
    on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

*** Under the influence of God’s spirit ~ the people were confused because they had never seen this before…

They had seen people under the influence of alcohol ~ because they couldn’t understand this behavior they accused them of being drunk…

Proverbs 12:26 

The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

Proverbs 18:24

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Influence

In modern use, the noun typically refers to the power to change or affect someone or something—especially the power to cause changes without directly forcing those changes to happen. Influence can also refer to a person or thing that affects someone or something in an important way.

The noun had been in use for more than 200 years before the verb use developed. As a verb, influence typically means “to affect or change someone or something in an indirect but usually important way.”

Miriam Webster Dictionary

The word originated from the belief that the stars exuded a liquid that traveled thru space and made its way to earth to make an impact on humanity…

The word influenza was used because the disease was believed to be from out of this world ~ sent from the stars to impact mankind…

The hierarchy of who exerts the most influence naturally shifts throughout life:

• Early Childhood: Parents and guardians lay the foundation. They shape fundamental beliefs, morals, and behavioral habits during your most formative years.
• Adolescence & Young Adulthood: Peers and friends heavily impact personal style, language, risk tolerance, and day-to-day decisions, often overshadowing parental influence during this time.
• Adulthood: Spouses, romantic partners, and close colleagues hold immense sway. Daily exposure to these individuals affects long-term goals, lifestyle choices, and emotional well-being.
• Professional Life: Managers, mentors, and coaches shape career paths, skill development, and professional confidence.
• Broader Culture: Society and media continuously impact public opinion, trends, and self-image, with modern digital spaces amplifying these outside voices. [1, 2, 3]

Internal Influence

Proverbs 17:22

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 15:13-15

A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.

The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.

Proverbs 27:19

As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart. Or so others reflect your heart back to you

External Influence