Influence

We have all had influence on others; now that influence can be good or it can be bad but it is a power we all have. Merriam-Webster gives this definition of the word "Influence"
the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways: sway. I had the opportunity of going to a men's leadership meeting last week which was very good as it opened my eyes to something I knew was going on but not to the extent. The speaker began by saying something to this effect; he said 8 out of 10 of you men have viewed pornography today! Do what? Eight out of ten is 80 per cent; that is a very high percentage. I wonder if that is why there are so many marriages being broken up. People get unnatural ideas by viewing something that looks so inviting, so one day they try what they have been seeing. Some believe it will make their marriage better or at least they are lead to believe so. They soon find out that it destroys their relationship with the one they gave their vows to and death enters into the marriage. The cost is greater than they could imagine and it matters not where one or both partners are involved the cost is devastating! Families are destroyed; children are left with split parents not even considering the STDs and STIs that causes health problems and in many cases death. Don't take my word for it read the statistics yourself.

1. 57% of Pastors say that addiction to pornography is the most sexually-damaging issue to their congregation. [Christians & Sex leadership journal survey, March 2005]
   
2. 90% of children 8-16 years of age have viewed pornography on the internet. In most cases, this was done unintentionally [The London School of Economics, 2002]
   
3. 57% of Promise Keepers attendees viewed pornography within a week before the event. [http://www.crosswalk.com/1224639/]
   
4. 47% of families said that pornography was a problem in their home. [Focus on the Family poll, Oct. 1, 2003]
   
5. One out of every six women, including Christians, struggle with as addiction to pornography. [Today's Christian Woman, Fall 2003]
   
6. Sexually transmitted diseases (also called STDs or STIs -- sexually transmitted infections) are infections that can be transferred from one person to another through sexual contact. According to the Centers for Disease Control there are over 15 million cases of sexually transmitted disease cases reported annually. [http://www.epigee.org/health/stds.html]
   

This is awful, have we invited the enemy in?

John 10:10
A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy.

We must be on guard and never let our guard down for this very thing happened to the wisest man ever born, King Solomon.

1Kings 11:1
But King Solomon loved many strange women, (His love was a lustful and not a lawful one) together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites;

1Kings 11:2
Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.

Solomon you are headed for real trouble, your heart is about to be turned away from what you know is right. This will work both ways it matters not whether you are male or female you can use your influence to turn your mate or another away; you can allow the enemy to destroy what is real love for lustful love. Now as I listened to what that speaker said that night was it true that 80% had viewed pornography even during the week? Was it by accident or on purpose! Can I say that I want my influence to be helpful and honest and of good report.

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Don't fall into the enemies trap for traps are designed to capture and kill in other words destroy. See you Monday and may the Lord bless. Oh by the way I am in the 20%!!