Worldly Influences by Pastor Holly Johnson

I believe that our core values are affected by our surroundings. Both Christian spirituality and secular ethics can powerfully influence one’s character. As a pastor, I observe strong Christians, who, after going to a work atmosphere of ungodliness, begin to conform to those unholy surroundings. Their actions and their personalities begin to change. They often unwillingly become a product of their environment. The world has a strong draw! On the other hand, I see court appointed volunteers with questionable character begin to establish honorable values after several weeks of being constantly surrounded by Godly people. Their lives are influenced by the setting in which they have been placed. In Stephen Covey’s book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People he states, “How different our lives are when we really know what is deeply important to us, and, keeping that picture in mind, we manage ourselves each day to be and to do what really matters most”. This is a powerful concept to us as Christians. If we allow the daily influences of Christ and the Word of God to be our guide, our character will remain pure and holy before the Lord. However, if we are bombarded each day by secular television, movies, books, and other worldly influences, our values and character will reflect those things. The more time that I spend with the Father, the easier it becomes to function according to my Christian values. The less time I spend with the Father, the more I find myself responding to the impulses and momentary desires of the flesh. Max Lucado makes the statement, “Dare we hope to be mirrors in the hands of God, the reflection of the light of God? This is the call” . My prayer is that more and more of my life will truly reflect His glory, and that my character will be daily impacted by the power of His presence and not by the draw of the world.