Influences

Galatians 3:1
“O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?”

The influences in our life do matter because they eventually determine what we do, which will determine who we become. It is just like a little child playing around the mud; they eventually will get muddy because you can’t play in the mud without getting dirty. Your influences do matter.

Paul asked the Galatians, “…who hath bewitched you…” The “what’s” in our lives are always a result of the “who’s” who influence us. What we do is a direct result of who we allow to influence our thinking and actions. In the Book of Galatians, there were two things that influences do.

First, influences will bewitch you. The word “bewitched” means to be fascinated or charmed. Paul was amazed by how these believers were charmed or fascinated with people who didn’t believe what they believed. You always have to be careful about looking at those who don’t believe like you to get ideas from them. Spiritually progressive believers may be charming, but if you allow them to influence you, they will bewitch you into their beliefs and actions. It is so easy to be fascinated with the spiritual progressives because they seem to be so nice and their ministries seem to be growing; however, they will pull you away from the truth that you have been taught in God’s Word.

Second, influences will hinder you. Galatians 5:7 says, “Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?” Some influences will pull you away from the truth, but other influences will keep you from spreading truth the way that you should. There are some people whom you should not spend time with because they hinder you from doing what you are supposed to do. These people may not be bad people, but you must stay away from them because they keep you from doing what you are supposed to do, and from being who you are supposed to be.

Because a “who” always influences the “what” that we do, there are two things you should keep in mind about your influences. First, let truth be the determination of influence. Too many believers are enamored with one’s personality more than they are with their beliefs. My friend, just because someone has a winsome personality doesn’t make them a good person to be around. Just because someone always walks around with a smile on their face doesn’t make them right. Certainly, you should have a good attitude and be happy, but many people have been bewitched by someone whose personality has a way to draw you to them. Be careful about allowing charming personalities to pull you into their spiritually progressive ideas which will pull you away from the truth.

Second, let priorities and principles determine what you do. The only reason someone is hindered in the ministry is because they allow people to determine what they do instead of being controlled by priorities and principle. There are many things that can hinder you, but you must avoid those things or people who slow you down from doing what you are supposed to do for the LORD. If you can’t give your full attention to what you are supposed to do, you would be wise not to get involved with it, even if it may seem to be a good cause. The purpose of the ministry is too important to allow things or people to hinder us from doing what the LORD wants you to do.

Author: Allen Domelle