If you are a Christian young adult with ambition and a pulse on our generation, you have likely thought about influence. You might think about it in terms of followers, likes, or professional network. But as believers, we have to recalibrate our definition of influence based on the ultimate example of Jesus Christ.

 

God has given us a clear mandate. It’s called the Great Commission. We are instructed to go out and make disciples. Now, here is the practical question that often goes unasked: How did Jesus do it? How did He manage to gather thousands of people on a hillside or by the seashore? The answer is simple yet profound: He had influence. 

 

Influence isn't a dirty word reserved for celebrities and CEOs. Influence, in its purest form, is simply the turn of an ear. Dictionary.com defines influence as “the capacity or power of persons or things to be a compelling force on or produce effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc. of others.” It means that when you speak, people listen. When you walk into a room, people take notice. When you suggest an idea, people consider it. Jesus had that. He walked into a region, and people followed. He had their attention. But here is where the "leveraging" part comes in. Jesus didn't just accumulate followers to sell them something or to build a brand for personal glory. He leveraged that influence for the Kingdom. He gathered the crowds, and once they were ready to listen, He gave them the Gospel. He planted seeds of truth that changed the world. That is your calling. You are called to build a platform where people will listen to you. And then, you are called to use that platform not for money, fame, or status, but to point them to Jesus.

 

So, how do you get that kind of influence? It starts internally. You gain influence by:

1. Understanding your passions and the unique gifts God has hardwired into you.

2. Growing in skills and becoming excellent at what you do.

3. Developing character and showing the fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, etc.) at a high level right where you are.

​

In short you build influence by being excellent at what you control effort and attitude, preparation and response. This is why Scripture tells us to work as if working for the Lord (Colossians 3:23). The job you have right now, the one you might dislike, the one that feels like a dead-end, is not an accident. It is the sphere of influence God has given you to cultivate. You are placed there to be salt and light. God scatters His people like seeds into different industries, companies, and neighborhoods so that we can cultivate those specific areas for the Kingdom.

 

Now that we have the "why," we need the "how." How do we do this without selling out? How do we build influence on a foundation that won't crumble?

 

To answer that, we turn to the wisdom literature of the Bible. Specifically, we are going to dive deep into Proverbs Chapter 1. Please note **THIS IS A SUMMARY OF THE VERSES NOT ACTUAL SCRIPTURE PLEASE READ THE ACTUAL SCRIPTURE AS WELL**

 

Let’s pray and ask for the insight only He can give.

Lord, thank You for this day and for Your Word. We come to You boldly, asking for wisdom, not just head knowledge, but applied knowledge. Teach us how to build influence in the places You have put us, and show us how to leverage that influence to plant seeds for Your Kingdom. Give us discernment to walk the right path. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

​

Let this sink in and then let's continue to part 1!