One day, we were on a ride with a young girl, about the age of my children. As we put ON the radio player, one of these worldly songs was playing. The young girl was singing along. I did not pay attention. But I noticed my daughters kept telling her; “Stop singing that song.” Their ‘arguments’ later got my attention. I had to gently correct her; “We don’t sing this kind of song here.” I later switched to a Christian song from my phone. The atmosphere changed as everyone sang along.

Friend, who is influencing you? Don’t underestimate the power of exposures; you cannot be better than your exposures. We are all influenced by what we have heard, seen and gone through, whether we like it or not. Your life is a product of who influenced you at your young age and who is currently influencing you (2 Timothy 1:5).

There is the reality of unconscious learning and exposure. Your subconscious mind does not discriminate the source of information; it wants to absorb all. You have to be intentional about what you allow into your heart and mind. This is what it means to guard your heart with all diligence (Proverbs 4:23, 1 Corinthians 15:33).

As a parent, you are the standard of morality in your home. It is not first about what you say but about what you do. Your children would pick your life before your sermon. Just the way a baby learns how and what to speak from the environments, especially the parents, a child says what he hears you say. If you always use foul languages, your children would follow suit.

Our faith must be passed to at least three generations after us (2 Timothy 1:5, 2:2). Don’t think that you are only influencing your child; you are also influencing his children’s children. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob would be the God of Joseph (Genesis 48:16).

If you have been wrongly influenced, you can make a U-turn today. You cannot continue to give the excuse of your upbringing for your character flaws. You can choose your models now. You can decide to meet new people, get into new environments and embrace new practices that would redefine your life and future. You can be a role model of excellence and virtue going forward (Isaiah 51:1-2, 1 Timothy 4:12).

‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria