1. Acts 27
The word influence does not appear in the NKJV of the Bible. But the concept is found throughout!
Definition (influence) “the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself.”
God rejected Israel because she had been influenced by the ungodly around them…
(Isaiah 2:6), “For You have forsaken Your people, the house of Jacob, because they are filled with eastern ways; they are soothsayers like the Philistines, and they are pleased with the children of foreigners.”
Barnes – “The “East,” that is, Arabia, Persia, Chaldea, etc., was the country where astrology, soothsaying, and divination particularly abounded”
Acts 27:33-38 (Paul’s positive outlook had the effect of encouraging those on the ship, despite the terrible storm.)
Why it matters…

2. Christians Need To Assess Influence!
The influence we are having on others – Is it good or bad?
Matthew 5:13-16; 1 Peter 3:1-2
The influence others are having on us – Is it good or bad?
2 Kings 21:1-10; Proverbs 22:24-25
Our Influence:
(Matthew 5:13-16), We can influence the world for good.
(1 Peter 3:1-2), Wives can influence their husbands to obey the gospel
Bad influence by us: “A little leaven leavens the whole lump.” (Galatians 5:9)
Influence on us:
(2 Kg. 21:1-10), King Manasseh influenced Israel to egregious sin before God
(Prov. 22:24-25), We can be influenced to become angry and violent!
Good influence on us: “And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe” (1 Thessalonians 1:6-7)

3. Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain (Philippians 2:14-16)