Are You a Positive or Negative Influencer?

There is a powerful truth that often goes unnoticed in everyday life: every single person is an influencer. Influence is not reserved for those with large platforms, social media followings, or public recognition. Influence is simply about direction. If someone is observing your life, listening to your words, or being shaped by your actions—then you are influencing them. 

The real question is not whether you have influence, but what direction your influence is pointing people toward. Are your words and behavior leading others closer to Christ, or further away? Because whether we realize it or not, our lives are constantly speaking. Even in silence, our actions communicate a message—and that message is either building faith or feeding confusion.

This is why influence must be taken seriously. It is not just about encouragement or motivation—it is about destiny. The way you live and the words you speak have the potential to shape someone else’s thinking. And thinking, over time, forms beliefs. Those beliefs then determine direction. This is the progression:

Thoughts → Words → Beliefs → Results

If someone remains around you long enough, your words begin to influence their thoughts, their thoughts shape their beliefs, and their beliefs ultimately guide the course of their life.

Scripture reinforces this responsibility:

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” — Matthew 5:16 (KJV)

Notice that it says people should see your good works. This speaks to behavior—not just speech. What we do often carries more weight than what we say. If our words declare one thing but our lifestyle reflects another, people will follow our actions more than our declarations.

Your words plant seeds—but your behavior waters them. Eventually, something will grow. The question becomes: what kind of fruit is your life producing?

It is also important to understand that influence is not measured by volume or visibility. A person does not have to be loud to be influential, nor popular to have impact. Influence is happening every day—in conversations, in responses, in attitudes, and in environments. A quiet life can still carry powerful direction.

So take a moment and consider this question:

Are you a positive or negative influencer?                                                                         

Are your words building people up?Are your actions pointing others toward truth?Does your life reflect Christ in how you respond, speak, and live?

Because at the end of the day, your life is always pointing somewhere—and people are following that direction, whether you realize it or not.

If you recognize areas where your influence needs adjustment, that is not condemnation—it is opportunity. You can shift direction today. Influence is not something you turn on and off; it is something you carry daily. In your home, at work, in casual conversations, and even in moments when no one seems to be paying attention—your life is speaking.

You do not have to be perfect to be a positive influence—but you do have to be intentional. Every word, every reaction, and every decision is planting something in the lives of others.

Do not underestimate the power of small moments. Influence does not only happen on large platforms; it happens in simple acts—choosing patience instead of frustration, offering a kind word, or showing integrity when no one else would notice. These moments may seem small, but they carry spiritual weight. They point people toward something real.

People may not remember everything you say, but they will remember how your life made them feel—and what direction it pointed them toward. Did your presence bring peace? Did your words bring clarity? Did your life reflect Christ in a way that made someone recognize there is something different?

And if you feel like you have not always been a positive influence, understand this clearly: there is no condemnation. This is not about regret—it is about alignment. You can make a decision today that your words will build instead of break, your actions will reflect truth instead of confusion, and your life will point people toward Christ.

Someone is always watching. A child. A friend. A coworker. Even someone silently observing your life. You may never fully see the impact of your influence on this side of eternity—but God does. And He uses it.

So carry this with you:                                                                                                                Your life is a messageYour words are seedsYour actions provide direction

Make sure they are pointing somewhere that leads to life                                                                    

A Lesson on Influence Through Words                                               Consider this true story from a Pastor as a reflection of how powerful influence can be.

I checked into a motel—and I called down to the front desk. I said, “Hey, my room has no running water.”She said, “I know.” Now that—that ticked me off. I said, “What do you mean you know?” She said, “Well, I can’t explain it—but it’s the only room in the whole place with no running water.”

I said, “Young lady—to call you stupid would defame the word. You owe your mother an apology for the day you were born.” And I just laid into her. The words just kept coming. I sat in the seat of the scornful—big-time. Finally, after a couple of minutes, I said, “You still there?”

She said, “Yeah, I’m still here.” I said, “You got anything to say?”

She said, “Since you asked—I’ve got one thing to say.” I said, “What’s that?”

She said, “I go to Bible college where you come preach every year.”

I said, “You…know—I was kidding, right? I don’t need water—who needs water?”

She said, Brother Gibbs, I don’t have hardly any money—but I pray for your ministry every day. And every month, I send a few dollars because I believe in what you’re doing.”

Then she started sobbing. She said, “I’m so sorry I failed you.

I went down to that front desk—literally got on my knees—and I said, “Listen… what I did to you, I would never want someone to do to my wife or my daughter. I broke God’s heart.”

She said, “No—it’s my fault.” I said, “It is not your fault.”

By the way—it doesn’t matter what someone else has done. We are commanded to walk in love—and our speech is to be always with grace. Those are Bible commands.

About a year later, I went to her home church—and I met her pastor.

He said, “A girl in our church said she met you at a motel where she was working.”

I said, “How about that…” (thinking—maybe I can just play this off).

I said, what did she say? “ She said how much she loves you—and how much she loves praying for you?” I asked is that all she said? He said, “Yeah—that’s what she told me.”

I said, “Let me tell you what I did to her…” And I told him the whole story.

He looked at me and said, “She didn’t tell me any of that.”

Then he said, “Brother Gibbs—when you told her, ‘You owe your mother an apology for the day you were born’—she doesn’t know who her mother is. She has no idea what her birthday is. She doesn’t know who her mother or father are. They found her in a dumpster. She has nothing but Jesus—and she never complains.”

I said, “Pastor—I want what she’s got.”

What does it take to make you snap?What does it take to make me lose control?

Sometimes it’s just rush-hour traffic—and we’re off, gripping and complaining.Sometimes it’s something on TV—and we’re off again, stirred up and frustrated.

By the way—be careful what you allow into your eyes and ears.

I don’t care what you’re watching—what news outlet—it doesn’t matter. They’re all filled with complaining, and they want you to complain… and be upset about what they’re upset about.

Be careful what your eyes see, your ears hear and what your mouth speaks they are all influencers in our lives.