Deuteronomy 20:18
“so that they may not teach you to do according to all their detestable things which they have done for their gods, so that you would sin against the LORD your God.”
A few entries ago, the topic of being an influencer was addressed. Today is similar, but from the opposite direction. The Lord warns His people through Moses not to be influenced in an ungodly way. We have all sorts of forces influencing us. Our culture, just like all cultures, influences. The entertainment industry influences, education influences, the news influences, our job and coworkers influence, our friends and family influence, and our churches influence. We choose what to let it in.
Influence rarely comes in a neutral manner. It attempts to persuade. So, it at least says, “Our way is better”. Sometimes it says “Your way is bad, ignorant, old fashioned,…”. There is pressure to conform. The commercials on TV constantly seek to influence. Movies and their messages influence. A recent one was Forty Year Old Virgin. It ridicules anyone who takes the bible’s stance of “no fornication”. Anyone taking this view is ignorant, not cool, psychologically suppressed, weird and so on. The single person who behaves biblically feels like people are judging him (her).
This is one of the reasons why the bible tells us to go to church. Hebrews 10:25 says, “Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another…” There is strength in numbers. The church influences in a positive fashion. It provides a positive pressure to behave biblically. We still may feel different in some situations. However, we know we have a safe harbor to return to.
We should go to church and be with believers often. Our strength is like that of a battery. It needs to be recharged. If we don’t, our resolve weakens and we may succumb to ungodly influences.
Another reason to be in church is to receive teaching. We get informed as to how are to live. We learn biblical standards and practices. We become acquainted with the truth. It becomes part of us. When we sense a questionable influence, we not only know it, but we feel it. 1 Thessalonian 5:19 says, “Do not quench the Spirit.” The immediate context is in regards to restricting God in worship services. A personal application is when we accept an ungodly influence. If we are walking with Christ, we will sense an obstruction in our relationship with God at these times. It’s like we are quenching the Spirit.
Jesus gave us an example in dealing with other influences. He said in Matthew 22:21, “Give unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s”. There are plenty of nonbiblical influences that are enjoyable. However, they aren’t for us. Some have some shades of gray. God will help us with those. We are to avoid some influences.
Why does God want us to avoid these things? It’s for our protection. Many of these influences have bad ends. God is our creator. We weren’t intended to do some things. We may not understand some restrictions. Those we take on faith.
Lord, thank You that Your intent in limiting influences is for our protection. Help us to walk according to Your ways. Help us to walk with You in a holy manner.