word4U2day

2026-03-27

How do you affect others?

Romans 1:12 NCV

Have you ever noticed that we start to become like the people we're around the most? We pick up the way they speak, ways they behave, their belief systems and the attitudes they have. And this means that the people who spend time with you will pick up things from you too.

So how are you affecting others? Sometimes we affect other people in a negative way. We have a 'glass half empty' attitude and cause others to become pessimistic. We gossip or lie and create an atmosphere of mistrust and competition. We can avoid going to church, youth groups and CU meetings and cause other people to avoid them too. But if we have the power to influence people with our words, actions and beliefs then let's make sure we're doing it in a positive way.

Paul wrote 'Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you.' When our faith is strong, we help strengthen others. When we speak words of encouragement rather than criticism, we build people up rather than bring them down. The Bible says 'Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift' (Ephesians 4:29 MSG).

It's also worth remembering that sometimes we have to tell others when they're heading off God's path, and they need to tell us too. Proverbs 27:17 says 'You use steel to sharpen steel, and one friend sharpens another' (MSG). We need each other. We need relationships in our lives. But we need to make sure that we're affecting others in a positive way.

Links to Bible verses: Holy Bible

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