Faithful Steward Ministries and FSM Women's Outreach

When folks speak about “Influence and Influencers” in today’s high-tech world they are referring to those with a social media presence that affects upawards of millions. The chart below shows just how important social media presence is, those with less than 500 followers and at least 25% engagement per post (I/we are in this category) are not even considered. But what does this say about society as a whole? Should not family and friends be a better influence on our youth and each other? What about God and the Bible? One would hope this was the case but as our Devotion today shows even family can sometimes overstep the will of God and push for an unbiblical influence.

---

---

DEFINITIONS

influence

noun

in·​flu·​ence ˈin-ˌflü-ən(t)s  

especially Southernin-ˈflü- 

pluralinfluences

Synonyms of influence

1 : the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways : SWAY

2 a : the act or power of producing an effect without apparent exertion of force or direct exercise of command

b : corrupt interference with authority for personal gain

3 : one that exerts influence

4 : an emanation of spiritual or moral force

5 a : an ethereal fluid held to flow from the stars and to affect the actions of humans

b : an emanation of occult power held to derive from stars

verb

influenced; influencing

transitive verb

1 : to affect or alter by indirect or intangible means She attempted to influence his decision. greatly influenced by my parents

2 : to have an effect on the condition or development of Productivity was influenced by worker satisfaction.

influenceable ˈin-ˌflü-ən(t)-sə-bəl 

 adjective In the situation where performance measures are not seen as influenceable, there is little chance of the person seeing a connection between his effort and his rewards.—Lyman W. Porter et al.

“Influence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/influence. Accessed 26 Mar. 2024.

---

5345 influence

The ability to affect others or events. Also, the experience of being affected by someone or something else. Scripture recognises the wide-ranging power of influence for both good and evil.

Teaching on influence; Exhortations to be influenced by good and to influence others for good Mt 5:13-16 See also Pr 1:8-9; 7:1-5; 25:15; Php 4:8-9

Exhortations to resist evil influence and not to be a bad influence Dt 4:15-19; Pr 5:1-14; 6:20-26; Mt 18:5-6; Ro 12:2; 14:13; 1Co 5:6-8; 8:9-13; 2Co 6:14-18; 2Ti 2:14; Jas 4:7

Good influence in its various contexts; The influence of the Holy Spirit Ac 2:1-13; 8:26-40; 16:6-10; Ro 8:5-17,26-27; 1Co 2:10-16; 12:3

People of good influence 2Ti 1:5 See also Ge 41:41-43; 1Ki 10:1-9; 15:11-14; 2Ki 18:1-8; 23:1-25

Evil influence in its various contexts; People of evil influence 2Ki 9:22 See also Mt 15:1-14; 16:5-12; 23:13-15; 27:20; 2Co 11:3-4,13-15; 2Pe 2:1-3

Corrupting influence of evil cultures Jos 23:6-8,12-13; Jdg 2:10-13; 1Ki 11:1-6; Ezr 9:1-2; Ne 13:15-27; 1Co 12:1-2; 15:33

The influence of Satan Mt 16:23 See also Mk 1:23-26 pp Lk 4:33-35; Mk 4:15 pp Mt 13:19 pp Lk 8:12; Lk 22:3-4; Jn 13:27-30; 2Co 12:7

Further aspects of influence; The influence of prayer Ge 18:20-33; Ex 32:9-14; 2Ch 7:13-15; Da 9:1-23; Jnh 3:3-10

The influence of words Pr 12:18 See also Pr 15:4; 16:23-24; 28:23; Jas 3:5-6

The influence of parents Pr 1:8-9 See also 2Ch 22:2-3; Pr 4:1-4; 6:20-22; 2Ti 1:5

Martin H. Manser, Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies (London: Martin Manser, 2009).

---

CONTEXT

OVERVIEW Chap 20: The parable of the vineyard shows the abounding grace of God (the vineyard owner), which is strikingly balanced in the generosity of his rewards. The reformers provide diverging interpretations of this parable. Some read it as encouraging pious, diligent, and faithful work among Christ’s followers. Many others focus on an interpretation of self-righteousness seen in the parable’s conclusion.

The next, brief narrative interlude prepares readers for a series of narratives (Mt 20:20–21:16) that focus on Jesus as king and the true nature of his kingdom. In commenting on Christ’s prediction of his own death, the reformers note how Jesus’ multiple predictions of his death serve as a means of building up the faith of his disciples and prepare them for what follows.

As the reformers comment on the encounter with the mother of John and James, they attempt to explain the connection between Jesus’ predictions of his death and the future reign in the kingdom. Some assert that the mother’s request shows some measure of faith since she assumes that Jesus is the king and that he will establish his kingdom with the disciples serving as vice regents. However, the petition also shows a lack of faith and understanding on the nature of the kingdom on the part of the mother and her present, though silent, sons. Some reformers suggest that his disciples misunderstand Jesus’ prediction altogether. Jesus’ reference to sharing his cup provides a perpetual symbol of his sacrificial death (see Mt 26:27–29). As the other disciples express their anger over the ambition of the two brothers, Jesus reminds them all of the servant leadership required in the kingdom. Philipp Melanchthon emphasizes how Christ ends the lesson in humility by pointing to his own death for the sins of others. The true depth of humble service is seen in the sacrificial death of the king himself.

The regal references to Jesus continue in this narrative with the cries of the two blind men, addressing him as the kingly “son of David.” Connecting Jesus with a promised figure from the Old Testament, they do not request specific blessings but plea for mercy. Juan de Valdés asserts that the men’s blindness helped them to be aware of their need for mercy and stirred them to be diligent in their request.

Jason K. Lee, William M. Marsh, and Timothy George, eds., Matthew: New Testament, vol. I, Reformation Commentary on Scripture (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2021), 255.

---

---

DEVOTION