KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 27:20 KJV” But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.”

In our key scripture, the chief priest and the Pharisees, managed to persuade the multitudes to call for the death of our Lord Jesus Christ. Many people have made shipwreck of their lives because of wrong or evil influences. Among the youth we call it peer pressure. Anyone could be wrongly influenced, if he or she has not made up his mind to stick to God’s standards.

There are people who are addicted to all kinds of stuffs and even habits as a result of bad or wrong influences. There are young men who are given to sniffing cocaine, taking all kinds of drugs, alcohol and many more. They wished they were free of these things, yet because of their associations they are held to that lifestyle. There are some ministers of the gospel who are also influenced by friends to join occult groups. The marital homes also suffer, its kind of wrong influences, through certain associations. Always remember that bad communications corrupt good manner (2nd Corinth 15:33)

Beside the direct influences are those who suffer from indirect influences to their own destruction. If one act in any way to gain the praise of others, it is a remote kind of influence. The pursuit of fame and financial affluence drives people into mingling themselves with all kinds of wrong ways to make money. The Lord said, the Pharisees liked to were their long robes and make long prayers to win the recognition of people. There are things many people do, that seeks to show how good they are in that field and not fundamentally to honour God. Check your motive always.

Why do people fall into this error of wrong influences.?

1. Most of such people are not living under the authority of Jesus over their lives.

2. Some fear to offend others by taking an opposing stand.

3. Some people have not defined what they want out of life.

4. Some are just lovers of themselves and will go for anything that satisfies their ego.

How can one set himself free from negative influences?

1. Acknowledge that God is the only judge to whom we are all accountable to

2.Realize that the praise of men is a mirage, and has no eternal value.

3.Any friend whose value system does not honour Jesus can’t be your close pal.

4. Don’t be afraid to be misunderstood when you have to be different.

5.Do nothing for self glory, but rather do all things to the glory of the Lord Jesus

THOUGHT:  IT IS IDOLATORY TO SEEK TO PLEASE MEN AGAINST GOD’S WAY.

 FURTHER STUDIES

Galatians 1:10 KJV” For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ”.

1 Corinth 15:33 KJV” Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners”