The Power of Influences
“Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” — Joshua 1:7-8 (ESV)
In a world full of shifting values, it’s easy to be influenced by external pressures. Work culture, family expectations, societal norms, and government policies all shape the way we think, act, and live. These influences are so ingrained in our lives that we may not even notice how they are steering us. But God calls us to a different standard, one shaped by His Word. Joshua’s command to meditate on God’s Word day and night isn’t just about religious discipline; it’s about allowing God’s truth to guide every aspect of our lives.
From the moment we wake up to when we go to bed, we’re bombarded with messages promoting success, wealth, power, and self-interest. Society encourages us to prioritize our desires above all else, leading us to believe that conformity is the key to success. But God’s Word calls us to a different kind of success—one found in obedience to Him, not chasing the world’s fleeting ideals.
Deuteronomy 6:6-9 reminds us to keep God’s commands at the forefront of our lives. “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” God’s Word isn’t meant to be a Sunday-only focus or something we think about when convenient. It’s meant to be spoken, meditated on, and lived out in every moment. When God’s truth permeates our hearts, we begin to see everything through His lens. Our actions, decisions, and relationships become guided not by cultural trends but by eternal truth.
The world tells us to seek success through self-interest and personal gain. But God calls us to a life of humility, service, and righteousness. The more we immerse ourselves in His Word, the more we recognize the difference between worldly wisdom and godly wisdom. Psalm 119:11 says, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” When we store God’s Word in our hearts, we are better equipped to resist worldly temptations and live in His truth.
Reflect on your own life:
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the power of Your Word. Help me to make it the guiding influence in my life, not just in moments of need, but in every part of my day. Teach me to hide Your Word in my heart, that I may live according to Your will. Let Your truth shape my thoughts, decisions, and actions so that I honor You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Scripture References:
Joshua 1:7-8, Deuteronomy 6:6-9, Psalm 119:11
“Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” — Joshua 1:7-8 (ESV)
In a world full of shifting values, it’s easy to be influenced by external pressures. Work culture, family expectations, societal norms, and government policies all shape the way we think, act, and live. These influences are so ingrained in our lives that we may not even notice how they are steering us. But God calls us to a different standard, one shaped by His Word. Joshua’s command to meditate on God’s Word day and night isn’t just about religious discipline; it’s about allowing God’s truth to guide every aspect of our lives.
From the moment we wake up to when we go to bed, we’re bombarded with messages promoting success, wealth, power, and self-interest. Society encourages us to prioritize our desires above all else, leading us to believe that conformity is the key to success. But God’s Word calls us to a different kind of success—one found in obedience to Him, not chasing the world’s fleeting ideals.
Deuteronomy 6:6-9 reminds us to keep God’s commands at the forefront of our lives. “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” God’s Word isn’t meant to be a Sunday-only focus or something we think about when convenient. It’s meant to be spoken, meditated on, and lived out in every moment. When God’s truth permeates our hearts, we begin to see everything through His lens. Our actions, decisions, and relationships become guided not by cultural trends but by eternal truth.
The world tells us to seek success through self-interest and personal gain. But God calls us to a life of humility, service, and righteousness. The more we immerse ourselves in His Word, the more we recognize the difference between worldly wisdom and godly wisdom. Psalm 119:11 says, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” When we store God’s Word in our hearts, we are better equipped to resist worldly temptations and live in His truth.
Reflect on your own life:
- What influences shape your decisions?
- Are you letting the world’s pressures guide your choices, or are you allowing God’s Word to lead you?
- How can you make God’s truth the focus of your daily life, ensuring that it continually influences your heart, actions, and relationships?
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the power of Your Word. Help me to make it the guiding influence in my life, not just in moments of need, but in every part of my day. Teach me to hide Your Word in my heart, that I may live according to Your will. Let Your truth shape my thoughts, decisions, and actions so that I honor You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Scripture References:
Joshua 1:7-8, Deuteronomy 6:6-9, Psalm 119:11
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