“We are, in fact, the fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing…” 2 Corinthians 2:15

Let’s read together 1 John 2:14-17

I explained to you on the first day how my wife stopped following an online comedian because she was beginning to adopt her expressions. Indeed, a person’s life is reflected in their words, and the one who listens regularly to someone to the point of being influenced in their language also adopts their way of being. The one who regularly listens to Jesus will have the life of Jesus. The one who regularly listens to someone immoral, even if they discuss holy subjects, will adopt immoral ways.

Just as the life of God is found in His Word (John 1:4), so too is the life and mindset of a person found in their words. If you regularly listen to a God-fearing person to the extent that it influences your language, you will also walk in the fear of God.

I knew a pastor who preached the exact Word of God. However, most of his followers and leaders led lives of debauchery. Later, I realized that this man himself lived in debauchery. He preached the Word of God, but transmitted his own life to his followers. Your listeners hear what you say, but they also receive who you are. For example, I have never heard corrupt leaders of a country encourage the people to be corrupt; yet we can see that the people are becoming more and more corrupt, following the example of their leaders. The people heard “be honest,” but received “the spirit of corruption.”

The Spirit made me understand that listeners hear what is said, but they receive and become what is. A thief who gives good advice will promote theft; a proud person who preaches humility will promote pride. If you regularly listen to the good advice of a wrongdoer, you will be surprised to have strong temptations to do wrong.

Many countries have good laws. However, their inhabitants do not live according to the law, but rather according to the lifestyles of those who enact and enforce the law. If the leaders are corrupt, the people will eventually become corrupt, despite the good laws.

It is rightly said that the term “influencer” has been given to those highly followed on social media. Through being watched and listened to, they transmit to their followers their ways of being, their lifestyles. The world as a whole is a great influencer. Behind beautiful songs, good coaching, and good speeches lie the way of the world, the pride of life, the lust of the eyes, and the love of the world.

To protect yourself from subtle influences, God has blessed you with the blessing of influence so that not only are you not influenced, but also that you are the one who influences. Indeed, through this blessing, God says: “You shall not borrow,” meaning you shall not take anything from the world, you shall learn from it, but you shall not take.

The blessing of influence is to preserve you from the influences of the world and to transform you into an influential person, a light. We have much to learn, but nothing to take from the world. Yes, the world can teach you certain things, but you have nothing to take from it.

Let us proclaim together: I declare that I learn from the world, but I take nothing from its depraved customs and values. Amen 1.

I read my bible in 1 year: 1 Kings 10 – Ezekiel 40 – Philippians 1

This text is an excerpt from the book “Blessed to Bless 1 – Developing the Conquering Mentality ” written by Apostle Mohammed SANOGO.

We invite you to read the following article “CHRIST MY CAPACITY“.