David Ray
Is that title correct? Could there actually be anything negative about having a godly influence in your life? Let’s look at Scripture and see.
The books of the Kings and Chronicles, while giving us the history of the monarchs of the nations of Israel and Judah, give us many good lessons that we need to learn. One such lesson has to do with influence.
King Joash is known as one of the better kings of Judah. You can read about him in 2 Kings 12 as well as 2 Chronicles 24. Unfortunately, we learn in 2 Chronicles 24:17-22 that he was only good in the sight of God as long as Jehoiada the priest was alive; once Jehoiada was dead, Joash fell away from God.
Likewise, Joash’s grandson Azariah (also called Uzziah) was known as a good king. He followed God in the same way his grandfather did—partially. 2 Chronicles 26:5 says that he “sought God in the days of Zechariah.” But skip to verses 16-21 and we find the details of his apostasy after Zechariah was gone.
Jehoiada and Zechariah were obviously very righteous men. Certainly nobody would disagree that Joash and Azariah were greatly blessed to have the influences of these two men in their lives. But it also seems evident that these two kings relied on these two righteous examples to a fault.
It is possible to trust too much in others, even faithful brethren. No human is perfect. You can’t rely solely on any godly influence; what happens when they’re gone, either by death or figuratively by apostasy? Each one of us has to develop his/her own faith in God based on knowledge of His word. Each one of us must study to show himself approved (2 Tim. 2:15). Because each one of us will “appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10).
Who are you allowing to influence you? And how much are you allowing yourself to be influenced? Whoever influences you, positively or negatively, will not stand with you in the judgment. He won’t be there to answer for your actions. “Every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Rom. 14:12). Are you ready?
