Navigating Life's Influences: Divine vs. Deceptive

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound concept of influence and how it shapes our lives. We began with a vivid analogy of being pulled over for a DUI, despite not having consumed alcohol, to illustrate how we are constantly under the influence of various forces, whether we realize it or not. This series, "Under the Influence," aims to delve into the sources and impacts of these influences, both divine and otherwise.

We are all influenced by something or someone, and it's crucial to recognize who or what these influencers are. The two most significant influencers in the universe are God and Satan, though they are not equal in power. God, the sovereign creator, and Satan, a rebellious angel, both exert influence over our lives. Additionally, angelic beings, assigned to nations, and human influencers like parents, leaders, and peers, play significant roles in shaping our character and decisions.

The story of Job was used to illustrate the unseen spiritual influences at play in our lives. Job, unaware of the heavenly council's discussions, remained faithful despite severe trials, showing us the importance of steadfastness under divine influence. We also discussed the role of parents as influencers, emphasizing the need for authoritative, loving guidance in raising children.

In our modern world, we face unprecedented influences from technology, social media, and the internet. These new influencers can be both beneficial and dangerous, requiring discernment and wisdom to navigate. We are living in an anomalous time, where strangers can have more influence over us than those who love us. This series will address how to maximize God's influence in our lives and minimize negative influences.

Ultimately, we are called to be influenced by God and to extend His influence to others. By aligning our lives with His will, we can experience a life of peace, joy, and purpose. As we continue this series, we will explore how to discern divine influence, maximize it, and extend it to others, preparing us to overcome the ultimate scam of human history.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Power of Influence: We are constantly under the influence of various forces, whether we realize it or not. Recognizing these influences, especially the divine and the deceptive, is crucial for spiritual growth and discernment. Understanding who influences us helps us align our lives with God's will. [50:35]

2. The Role of Parents: Parents are significant influencers in their children's lives. Authoritative, loving guidance is essential for raising children who can navigate life's challenges. This involves being willing to make unpopular decisions for their long-term benefit. [01:06:30]

3. Modern Influences: In today's world, technology and social media have introduced new influencers that can be both beneficial and dangerous. Discernment is necessary to navigate these influences and protect our spiritual and mental well-being. [01:15:23]

4. Divine Influence and Transformation: By focusing on God's character and aligning our lives with His will, we can experience transformation. This process involves contemplating the Lord's glory and allowing His Spirit to work within us, leading to a life of peace and purpose. [01:33:46]

5. The Ultimate Scam: We are living in a time of prophetic transition, where we are being set up for the biggest scam in human history. Recognizing and resisting negative influences is crucial to overcoming this deception and living a life aligned with God's truth. [01:41:18]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:01:00] - Introduction to Influence
- [00:05:00] - The DUI Analogy
- [00:10:00] - The Power of Influence
- [00:15:00] - Divine and Satanic Influences
- [00:20:00] - The Story of Job
- [00:25:00] - Parental Influence
- [00:30:00] - Modern Influences
- [00:35:00] - The Role of Technology
- [00:40:00] - The Ultimate Scam
- [00:45:00] - Divine Influence and Transformation
- [00:50:00] - The Impact of Obedience
- [00:55:00] - The Danger of Idolatry
- [01:00:00] - Neuroplasticity and Spiritual Growth
- [01:05:00] - Conclusion and Call to Action

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: "Under the Influence"

Bible Reading:
1. Job 1:6-12
2. Ephesians 6:1-3
3. 2 Corinthians 3:18

---

Observation Questions:

1. In the story of Job, what was the nature of the conversation between God and Satan, and how did it set the stage for Job's trials? [55:31]

2. According to Ephesians 6:1-3, what is the role of children in relation to their parents, and how does this relate to the concept of influence discussed in the sermon? [01:06:30]

3. How does the sermon describe the influence of modern technology and social media on our lives today? [01:15:23]

4. What does 2 Corinthians 3:18 suggest about the process of transformation in a believer's life, and how is this related to divine influence? [01:33:46]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the story of Job illustrate the unseen spiritual influences in our lives, and what can we learn from Job's response to his trials? [55:31]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that parents can be both positive and negative influencers in their children's lives? How does this align with the biblical instruction in Ephesians 6:1-3? [01:06:30]

3. The sermon mentions that we are living in an anomalous time with unprecedented influences from technology. How does this impact our ability to discern divine influence versus other influences? [01:15:23]

4. What does the concept of being transformed into the image of Christ in 2 Corinthians 3:18 mean for believers, and how can this transformation be achieved according to the sermon? [01:33:46]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the influences in your life. Are there any that you need to minimize or eliminate to better align with God's will? How can you take steps to do this? [01:41:18]

2. As a parent or a mentor, how can you provide authoritative, loving guidance to those you influence? What specific actions can you take this week to be a positive influence? [01:06:30]

3. With the rise of technology and social media, how can you practice discernment to protect your spiritual and mental well-being? Identify one practical step you can take to reduce negative influences. [01:15:23]

4. Consider the process of transformation described in 2 Corinthians 3:18. What specific aspect of Christ's character do you want to focus on this month, and how will you incorporate this into your daily life? [01:33:46]

5. The sermon warns of the ultimate scam in human history. How can you prepare yourself spiritually to recognize and resist deceptive influences? What role does community play in this preparation? [01:41:18]

6. Think about a time when you were influenced by someone or something that led you away from God's will. What did you learn from that experience, and how can it guide your future decisions?

7. Identify one person in your life who you can positively influence this week. What specific action will you take to extend God's influence to them?

Devotional

Day 1: Recognizing the Forces That Shape Us
We are constantly under the influence of various forces, whether we realize it or not. Recognizing these influences, especially the divine and the deceptive, is crucial for spiritual growth and discernment. Understanding who influences us helps us align our lives with God's will. [50:35]

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12, ESV)

Reflection: What are the most significant influences in your life today, and how can you ensure they align with God's will?


Day 2: The Impact of Parental Guidance
Parents are significant influencers in their children's lives. Authoritative, loving guidance is essential for raising children who can navigate life's challenges. This involves being willing to make unpopular decisions for their long-term benefit. [01:06:30]

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6, ESV)

Reflection: How can you provide loving and authoritative guidance to the young people in your life today, even if it means making unpopular decisions?


Day 3: Navigating Modern Influences
In today's world, technology and social media have introduced new influencers that can be both beneficial and dangerous. Discernment is necessary to navigate these influences and protect our spiritual and mental well-being. [01:15:23]

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take today to ensure that your use of technology and social media aligns with your spiritual values?


Day 4: Embracing Divine Influence for Transformation
By focusing on God's character and aligning our lives with His will, we can experience transformation. This process involves contemplating the Lord's glory and allowing His Spirit to work within us, leading to a life of peace and purpose. [01:33:46]

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally focus on God's character today to allow His Spirit to transform you?


Day 5: Resisting the Ultimate Deception
We are living in a time of prophetic transition, where we are being set up for the biggest scam in human history. Recognizing and resisting negative influences is crucial to overcoming this deception and living a life aligned with God's truth. [01:41:18]

"See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ." (Colossians 2:8, ESV)

Reflection: What deceptive influences might be trying to take you captive today, and how can you resist them by grounding yourself in God's truth?

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Mar 03, 2025. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?