Psalm 144:11
“Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood:”
One of the common warnings throughout my ministry is to guard your influences. I have watched many people destroy their reputation and future because of wrong influences. It doesn’t matter who you are, you are being influenced by someone. Your influences determine your direction. They influence you to either do the right thing or the wrong thing. The importance of keeping the right influences can’t be over emphasized.
In the verse above, the psalmist understood the significance of influences. He said, “Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children…” He knew his influences affected his influence. He understood the significance that influences would have on him, so he asked God to “rid” him of those “strange” influences that would harm his ability to do right. God then shows us the significance that influences have in three areas of our lives.
First, influences influence our ability to rear “polished” children. He says in verse 12 that the right influences influence our ability to train “our sons” and “our daughters” to become “polished after the similitude of a palace:” Whoever influences you will influence how you train your children. One of the best parenting tips you will find is to be sure that your influences are right if you want to train your children to do right. I have seen many parents who are training their children right, but they have weak associations or friends, resulting in their children not heeding their parent’s guidance. If you want your children to turn out for the LORD, consider who your influences are because they ultimately will influence your children. You can’t train your children to stay clean when you are walking with dirty influences. If you want your children to do right, you had better be sure your influences are the right ones.
Second, influences influence your ability to be financially stable. Verse 13 says, “That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store…” Your influences do determine how you spend money. If you want to be financially stable, you would be wise to have the type of influences which encourage you to be frugal with your spending. If your influences spend money frivolously, they will influence you to do the same. The right influences will have an impact on your ability to save money so that you will have the finances to do what you need to do.
Third, influences influence your ability to be productive. Verse 14 says, “That our oxen may be strong to labour; that there be no breaking in, nor going out…” When you have the right influences, they will encourage you to complete projects and work hard. You will find that those people who are unproductive in life also have unproductive influences. Productive people become the leaders of tomorrow. Guard your influences if you want your life to be productive.
The Scriptures teach that it is always a “who” that hinders you. Be watchful of the influences you have in your life. Be sure that they are the type of influences you wouldn’t mind training your children, running your finances, or managing your business. If you keep this as your guide for influences, you will have the proper type of influences who will help you to become the proper influence to others.