"Who Influences You?"

People can influence us for the good or the bad. We too can influence others, for the good or the bad. Whatever influences us, we will do everything to imitate and follow.

Paul reminds us in Phil. 3 to join in following his example and those who walk (conduct themselves) according to this example (v.17). To remind the church of this, that means there are two different examples and we need to exercise great care.

First, there is an example, a pattern some follow that will end in destruction. We are speaking about the church, not the world! (The world is already lost and separated from God.) Paul says "for many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ." (v.18) "MANY!" That is hard for some to accept but just observe the lives of many who claims Christ and you will see it. The cross, the death of Jesus has little impact on their lives while living for the world has a great impact. These are the ones who just hold to a form of godliness but deny the power (II Tim. 3:5). What pattern do they walk after? It will end in destruction (v.19). Destruction is all they have coming and they aren't even aware it's coming! Their god? Their own appetites. That's not talking about eating but those desires from within them that controls their lives. For instance, when they get their feelings hurt, those hurts become their appetite and focus. It's all they think about and creates bad attitudes. Others live for pleasures of the world and that becomes their appetite. It is all about pleasing themselves and their wants. They glory in their shame (v.19). Just listen to how brazen people speak about how they cheated someone or took advantage of a situation while another was hurt. Some speak boldly how they broke the law and didn't get caught. It's all shameful behavior for a Christian and they glory in it! What is the conclusion? They set their minds on earthly things (v.19). This is where their mind set always runs. There is little thinking to wanting to please Christ. This is the description of those who are enemies of the cross.

There is also a pattern that ends in heaven (v.20). Those who walk according to this pattern realize they are citizens of heaven and live as a heavenly citizen. It leads them to eagerly wait for Jesus, their Savior. They live each day for Jesus, knowing that someday their bodies will be transformed and changed into His likeness. Their lives are patterned after Jesus and they try to influence others toward Jesus.

We can be influenced for good or bad! The question is, who influences you? Your life reveals it!