Tag Archives: Godly Influence

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Requirements of a Godly Influence

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Charles Stanley

Daniel 1:1-17

Every believer has the responsibility to be a godly influence. Through our example and testimony, we are to help people gain a better understanding of Jesus Christ and the way to follow Him. From what the Bible tells us about the prophet Daniel, he was a man who used his influence wisely. His consistent witness impacted not just his friends but also four kings and their kingdoms.

Daniel possessed a strong conviction that every word of Scripture was true. He consequently declined to eat food from the king’s table, because Exodus 34:15 forbade consuming anything offered to idols (this was a common practice in Babylonia). Daniel’s commitment to God outweighed any fear of reprisal for turning down royal provisions.

The Lord honored Daniel’s conviction by ensuring that he found favor among powerful men. God also gave Daniel and his friends wisdom and knowledge that would serve them well as royal officials—positions that guaranteed godly influence would spread throughout the kingdom.

In all likelihood, very few of us will have opportunity to influence kings. But our example can have impact in a workplace or neighborhood, or even across generations. As was true of Daniel, a godly influence is rooted in the belief that the Bible is God’s inerrant Word. If our convictions aren’t based on scriptural principles, the pattern of our life cannot be consistent—then, we’ll chase after preferences instead of standing upon doctrine. Therefore, a commitment to stand on the bedrock of God’s Word is not negotiable.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Requirements of a Godly Influence

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Charles Stanley

1 Corinthians 1:25-31

Have you ever wondered what God’s human history textbook might look like? Who would appear on its pages as the principal movers and shakers of world events? First Corinthians 1:27-28 provides a clue when it tells us that the Lord has chosen the weak and the foolish things of the world to shame the strong and wise. This principle is woven throughout the fabric of biblical history.

A prostitute named Rahab makes a right choice and becomes the ancestor of the Messiah. A widow named Ruth chooses the God of Israel and becomes the great-grandmother of King David. An infertile wife named Hannah pours out her soul to God and becomes the mother of Samuel the prophet. A man called Abram responds to God, leaves his relatives behind, and becomes the father of all who believe. A woman named Mary pours expensive perfume on Jesus’ head and gains for herself an eternal monument in the stream of history.

Who are the truly influential people on this earth? Don’t be deceived by outward appearances. The ones with impact are those who leave all to follow Jesus—the men and women who have proven themselves to be “blameless and innocent children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom [they] appear as lights in the world” (Phil. 2:15).

You may not think that your light is very bright by this world’s standards, but when the Lord calls you a luminary, you can agree with Him and keep on shining.