Jesus Should Be Our Main Influencer  

On her recent birthday, my wife received a precious video message featuring our youngest grandson. He was wishing her a happy birthday, telling her that he loved her, and blew her a kiss. However, at only two years of age, he wasn’t doing this without some needed guidance. His father was nearby cueing him on what to say and do. Nevertheless, our grandson followed those directions willingly and gladly, as if his words and actions truly expressed what was in his heart and mind had he been able to initiate it all by himself.

 From what or whom are we taking our cues? I am not suggesting that we aren’t capable of thinking for ourselves and of expressing our thoughts through what we say and do. However, we all are influenced by sources outside of ourselves. As followers of Jesus, we should primarily be taking our cues from Him. And I am not just talking about what we think Jesus would do in a given situation. We should be living in accordance with the written Word He has provided for us, as well as obeying the promptings of His Spirit who lives within us.

God’s Word is a faithful guide for us to live by. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (II Timothy 3:16-17). Additionally, Jesus declared that the Holy Spirit would guide us into all truth (John 16:13). The Bible states that “as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (Romans 8:14). Therefore, as believers, we should be receiving and following guidance from the Bible and the Holy Spirit.

 I am concerned that many who profess to be Christians today are taking their cues primarily from other sources. Many are being influenced more by our culture with its changing viewpoints rather than the eternal truths of God. Some are allowing themselves to be deceived and led down less-than-Christlike pathways by their favorite podcaster, news personality, or political leader. There are those who are letting themselves be guided more by what it means to be a “conservative”, a member of a particular political party, an “independent”, or an “evangelical”, or a member of a particular denomination, instead of being directed by what it means to be a Spirit-led follower of Jesus.

I am not suggesting that we mindlessly repeat some biblical mantra or robotically submit to behave in whatever way the Lord directs, as if we are marionettes whose strings are being pulled by the Lord. However, we do let God’s Word and His Spirit guide us. We listen. We obey. And like my grandson did in his video message, we make it our own. God’s will becomes our will. His desires become what we want. We don’t follow His directions with a grudging heart as if it is some unpleasant burden. We do it gladly. We know that it is good, right, and true. And we know that it is best for us and best for carrying out God’s purposes.

Be careful whom you are letting influence you today. While we need to be informed about what is going on in our world, we need to stay attuned to what the Lord says about it all, including how we should live and respond to these circumstances in which we find ourselves. Study His Word. Listen to that small voice of His Spirit. Let them be your main guide as we journey through this different and challenging world today. Always take your cues from the Lord.