How to Ruin Your Influence

Introduction
Let us never forget how important and valuable our influence is. See Eccl. 7:1; Prov. 22:1. How much thought do you give to your influence? It MUST be considered on a daily basis. Just a few seconds of thoughtlessness can permanently damage our influence with others. A slip of the tongue, outburst of anger, or associating with those of poor character are all ways one’s influence can be damaged. What are some ways we can lose our savor?

I. By Being Inconsistent.
    A. People will notice when one’s words are inconsistent with deeds.
        1. Prov. 26:7; Eccl. 10:1
        2. World looks for inconsistent Christians.
    B. Rom. 2:21—NT warns Christians against inconsistency. Are you inconsistent?

II. By Being Unreliable.
    A. Don’t be dependable. Don’t volunteer. Don’t be trustworthy. Influence suffers.
        1. Would you marry someone w/such an attitude? Hire them to work for you?
B. Bible teaches us not to trust those who are unreliable—2 Kings 18:21; Prov. 25:19
C. Paul’s experience w/those who unreliable:
        1. John Mark—Acts 15:38
        2. Those who forsook him at his defense—2 Tim. 4:16
        3. Demas—2 Tim. 4:10

III. By Being Unfriendly.
    A. Lk. 11:5-8—friendly person has tremendous influence on others.
        1. See Prov. 18:24.
    B. How can we be unfriendly?
        1. By responding abruptly to unfriendliness of another
        2. By having an "uncaring" attitude.
    C. Bible teaches Christians to be friendly—Prov. 18:24; 17:17

IV. Be Quick Tempered.
A. See Eccl. 7:9; Prov. 22:24; 14:17; 14:29
B. Will lose ability to affect and influence others for good.—Prov. 15:1

V. Have an Uncontrolled Tongue.
    A. Eccl. 5:3—fools can’t control their tongue.
        1. Braggarts; talebearers; complainers lose their influence.
        2. Prov. 27:2; 26:20-22; Jude 16
    B. Control your tongue by:
        1. Having few words; having well chosen words; speaking with grace.
        2. Prov. 10:19-20; 15:28; Col. 4:6

VI. Be Unwilling to Admit When Wrong.
A. Prov. 12:15
B. Prov. 14:16—be ready to willingly admit error when wrong & be done with it!

How’s Your Influence? - See Prov. 4:18

Thanks to Wayne Greeson of Bentonville, AR who contributed to this outline.



How to Ruin Your Influence Introduction Let us never forget how important and valuable our influence is. See Eccl. 7:1; Prov. 22:1. How much thought do you give to your influence? It MUST be considered on a daily basis. Just a few seconds of thoughtlessness can permanently damage our influence with others. A slip of the tongue, outburst of anger, or associating with those of poor character are all ways one’s influence can be damaged. What are some ways we can lose our savor? I. By Being Inconsistent. A. People will notice when one’s words are inconsistent with deeds. 1. Prov. 26:7; Eccl. 10:1 2. World looks for inconsistent Christians. B. Rom. 2:21—NT warns Christians against inconsistency. Are you inconsistent? II. By Being Unreliable. A. Don’t be dependable. Don’t volunteer. Don’t be trustworthy. Influence suffers. 1. Would you marry someone w/such an attitude? Hire them to work for you? B. Bible teaches us not to trust those who are unreliable—2 Kings 18:21; Prov. 25:19 C. Paul’s experience w/those who unreliable: 1. John Mark—Acts 15:38 2. Those who forsook him at his defense—2 Tim. 4:16 3. Demas—2 Tim. 4:10 III. By Being Unfriendly. A. Lk. 11:5-8—friendly person has tremendous influence on others. 1. See Prov. 18:24. B. How can we be unfriendly? 1. By responding abruptly to unfriendliness of another 2. By having an "uncaring" attitude. C. Bible teaches Christians to be friendly—Prov. 18:24; 17:17 IV. Be Quick Tempered. A. See Eccl. 7:9; Prov. 22:24; 14:17; 14:29 B. Will lose ability to affect and influence others for good.—Prov. 15:1 V. Have an Uncontrolled Tongue. A. Eccl. 5:3—fools can’t control their tongue. 1. Braggarts; talebearers; complainers lose their influence. 2. Prov. 27:2; 26:20-22; Jude 16 B. Control your tongue by: 1. Having few words; having well chosen words; speaking with grace. 2. Prov. 10:19-20; 15:28; Col. 4:6 VI. Be Unwilling to Admit When Wrong. A. Prov. 12:15 B. Prov. 14:16—be ready to willingly admit error when wrong & be done with it! How’s Your Influence? - See Prov. 4:18 Thanks to Wayne Greeson of Bentonville, AR who contributed to this outline.