The Image God's Man Presents

Indiucky The Influence of the Image You Present

Luke 8:16-17

16 "No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light. 17 For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light."

Lesson 1: Here are some words that I wish I would have heard and paid attention to in my youth. Carefully select those who you allow to influence you. The person endeavoring to be good influence on you cares about you - the person attempting to be a bad influence on you isn't the least bit concerned about you.

Yes, there are many words of advice out there. But what I have found is that most poeple are visual. And if you can put words of advise into a story, the words can be easly recalled later. So, I think I'll tell you a story. But first I need you to understand the following on people who are trying to influence you.

For your understanding: Parents love their children. Parents warn children of the dangers in the world. Why? Parents care. In contrast: The tempters who are crafty are out to lead children down the wrong paths. You see the tempters are not the least bit concerned for the well being of children. Their words were based on lies and deceit. The tempters actions are self serving and benefit no one but himself. In this case the tempters are in conflict with parents and he used influence on children to lead them astray.

The key take away: Listen and take guidance from those who care for you. Avoid those who deceive you. When making a choice ask yourself the question is this person genuine, do they care for my well being? If the answer is "no", beware. The numbers of people who genuinely care about you are few. A wise person identifies those that care and keeps them close. It is prudent to have proof of trust before trusting.

If you were standing in a canyon when these words were spoke, you would hear an echo - It is prudent to have proof of trust before trusting.- It is prudent to have proof of trust before trusting. Now let these words echo in the thoughts of your mind - to be easily recalled. Put these words in your arrow quiver. It is certain that you will need to refer to them almost daily.

Lesson 2: Takes the 180 degree approach. Let's turn it all around and look at lesson 1 from a different angle. Now we will play the role of the influencer.

Terms: biography and occupation

A biography is an account of the series of events making up a person's life. Included in a biography are accounts of ones life and all the occupations held:

Let's define occupation: Occupation is an activity engaged in, especially as a means of passing time; an avocation.

Passing time- how do we pass time? Depending on our age -- We pass time on play grounds. When we are young we pass much time with our brothers and sisters.

Let's examine a fictional biography of Mr. X to see how Mr. X passed his time. Mr. X was a student at "Make Me Smart High School". After graduation Mr. X went on to "Make Me Smarter University". After the award of his degree, Mr. X was appointed to an entry level position at the Jimmy Neutron Research and Development Labs.

What's missing from this biography? There is an occupation missing that all of us have in common. It doesn't matter if you are 6 years old or 100 we all have an occupation that all mankind has in common. We are people of influence. Mr. X, as well as you, is a person of influence.

This lesson today is on influence. I have spent the past few months studying influence and thinking about how I may have impacted others. Some of the actions I modeled were commendable, but I'm afraid that I may have played a significant role in the lesser. But we are all redeemable. I am grateful for the work of Author, John Maxwell. This lesson is reflection of some of his work. I'm thankful for this opportunity to share what I have come to realize.

Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote "Every man is a hero and an oracle to somebody, and to that person, what ever he says has enhanced value".

What Ralph is saying is that everyone has influence. It doesn't matter who you are or what your occupation is - you are a person of influence. If your life connects in any way with other people you have influence. Everything you do at home, at school, at work, at church, or on a play ground has an impact on the lives of other people. You don't have to be a high profile person like a president or a sports figure to have influence.

The influence we have on others is either positive or negative. That is what the lesson today is about. Exposure to others and the image presented. All of us are on the lampstand. The light we emit is either bright or dark. All that come by our see the type of light we emit.

To be a role model or not to be a role model that is the question. Sounds like a good opening to a short story about a man named Stretch.

Let's examine a person of questionable influence. Sports figures are often hero to others. Let's say that there is a sports figure whose actions are well known and are quite immoral. We'll call him Stretch. When Stretch was questioned about the example he was setting for young people Stretch said "Get off my back - I don't want to be a role model - I just want to be myself."

Well saying we don't want to be a role model doesn't get us off the hook. We must understand that we are already role models. Being a role model is not something we can decline. We can't shake it, sell it, give it away or delegate it. Every person is a role model to somebody.

So what is a positive influencer? A positive influencer adds value to other people. Examples are: A person who reads to a child and encourages the child to love reading and helps the child become a life long learner. The school teacher who puts faith and confidence in student and helps the student feel good about themselves. The parent who knows how and when to give their children grace helps them stay open and communicative. The father who attends and leads his family to worship God helps guide his children to heaven. All of these actions add lasting value to the lives of other people.

What is the goal? What is the extreme added value? Success is leaving a positive legacy when we part. That is the self part. What is the selfless part of the goal: To positively influence others.

We will all leave a legacy. Our behaviors shape the legacy we will leave, our actions and influence is something we hand down to others and to our future generations. What kind of legacy do you want to leave? A wise man wrote:

"There is not a more noble occupation than helping another person succeed. It raises their level of living and brings meaning to life."

Men, We must not look only for our own interests but of the interest of this generation and future generations. We set the example for our spouse, our children, our children's children, our friends and acquaintances. We must endeavor to set others up for success.

Now this thing, influence, is a curious thing, even though we have impact on everyone around us, our level of influence is not the same with everyone. You may not have given this much thought, but instinctively you probably know which people you have great influence with and which ones you don't.

Now to determine your scope of influence, take some time to make a mental list of people who you influence: Grand children, children, spouse, other family members, co-workers, friends . . . and examine, are you setting the positive example?

I don't know what kind of influence you have on others today. Your actions may touch the lives of a hundred people. Or your actions may touch the lives of two or three family members or co-workers. The number of people is not what is important. The crucial thing to remember is that the current level of your influence is not set in stone.

Even if up to now you have had a negative impact on others you can turn it around and make your impact a positive one.

The summary of the lesson is not only are we accountable for our own actions we are accountable for the image we present to others. We can't hide the image we present; we are all in clear view for others to see us.

I get it now.

So you see it is not just about you. It's not just about me. It's not just about self. The decisions we make today don't just impact us. Because of the light on the lampstand our decisions and actions are viewed and imitated by others.

Everyone is redeemable. We can change if we chose.

If you recall from the beginning of the lesson, we said a biography is an account of the series of events making up a person's life. What is life? Life is a finite stream of moments; every passing moment is chance to turn your life around. Think of life as a strand of pearls. The strand has a beginning and an end. Imagine that each pearl is a moment in your life and the strand of pearls passing through your fingers are the passing moments.

Most likely, we have all witnessed someone reaching a point in their lives that can be described as clearly this person's greatest moment of their life.

Just like this person, we all posses or search for that single moment in our life that is so profound that it will remain with us forever. What is the greatest moment of your life? Perhaps you haven't reached your greatest moment. Your life can be charmed, enchanting but seem yet to be missing something. Is it a shining light that positively influences others to succeed?

With love and respect the lesson is yours.

Contributors: John Maxwell; Indiucky