Influence

According to Webster, “Influence denotes power whose operation is invisible and known only by its effects.” People influence me, what I read influences me, but what should be influencing me? Do I realize how much others influence me with their thoughts and their philosophies? And if I am influenced as an adult how about young children?

We are constantly bombarded by ideas and philosophies, which influence us. Whether it is the piped in music at the grocery store and gas station or the bias of the media in print, or on the web, and TV we are surrounded by a variety of agendas. As a Christian God’s Word should be influencing my life in all areas. Everything else should be held up to this standard. Do I take these thoughts captive and compare them to God’s Word? Do I use the Bible to discern where these ideas and philosophies will end? What will happen if they are applied to our culture?