An Elder Speaks

We must always guard our good influence
By Jack Smith
June 13, 2004

Hear this statement made by a well known college basketball coach. “What I always tell my basketball kids, is that they represent the college, and they represent the sport….If one of them should go into the wrong place for example, someone seeing him there would say, ‘I know him; he’s a local college basketball player; and pretty soon the word’s around that the college basketball team is hanging out in the wrong places.”

As a Christian you represent more than yourself. You represent Jesus Christ, Christianity itself, the local congregation, etc. Guard the ideals of all of these well. Yes, let us guard our influences. Our influence is predicated on our reputation, and our reputation upon the kind of lives we live.

Therefore, to guard our influence we must guard our lives. Elders, deacons, preachers-yes , all Christians are to be blameless; that is, they are to have a good report. (1 Tim. 3:2, 10).

Such obtaining they will wield a great and good influence. And, since, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches” (Proverb 22:1), Let us exercise every precaution necessary, and exert every effort possible, to protect and maintain our good name. Never say, “I don’t care what others think and say about me.”

We must be careful to ever guard our influence.

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