Negative influence in this world kicked off during the time of creation. Satan appeared as a serpent with the aim to destroy the precious relationship of Adam and Eve with God. In the beginning, God established the concept of a family through Adam and Eve, but they failed to completely obey Him since they fall into Satan’s deception and ate the forbidden fruit of good and evil. This act brought them the curse of sin among themselves, and their children and they were expelled from the Garden of Eden, so they did not have the opportunity to eat the fruit of the Tree of Life, which is God’s redemption plan after their fall.
As a result of the negative influence, Adam and Eve need to work harder so that they can feed themselves. And yet, God watched over them so that their needs may be supplied. Adam and Eve were able to multiply themselves until the earth was filled with people, with different cultures and different languages. People have fallen short of God’s glory because of their disobedience and sins (Romans 3:23). God’s Word says that in the last days, worse influences will happen as people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, many will be proud and arrogant, abusive, children will become disobedient to parents, people will be ungrateful, heartless, slanderous, not loving what is good, always seeking for pleasures, no self-control, and not loving God (2 Timothy 3:1-3). Many families are suffering from these negative influences because our enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).
Latest breaking news in our country today even exposed a religious leader facing charges of rape of minors coupled with other many offenses. Sons and daughters of church leaders and some of their members gave up their virginity due to spiritual deception and sexual pleasures, while other church workers are engaged in illegal drugs and many other related crimes. The question is why these negative influences can still happen even among claimed Christian families or even Christian organizations, churches, and para churches?
When relationships in families and other Christian organizations are not entwined with God’s love, then there is no complete obedience to God’s ways and commands, therefore, it will become a gateway for Satan’s deceit. Family members start to lose their wisdom when they don’t fear God. When there is no Godly wisdom, many youths are deceived by their sexual identity, thus, same-sex marriages are happening. This is a contradiction of God’s design for marriage that is intended only for man and woman.
Negative influences in the world can only be resisted when every member of the family has Godly wisdom. The wisdom writer says: “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life.If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.”—Proverbs 9:10-12 (NLT). Fear may be understood differently because it could mean a frightening situation. But fear in this context means respect and obedience to authority. Since many don’t acknowledge God and His Word as an ultimate life authority, many negative effects in this world are happening as a result. But God’s Word mentioned over a hundred times that individuals need to fear God to gain wisdom because it is the fountain of life.
Proverbs 1:7 says: “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” There is a contrast between wisdom and foolishness. Without God, people may learn earthly things without fear, reverence, and obedience to God. Adam and Eve failed to fear God’s directives and they listened to the serpent’s deception. A person without fear of the Lord may still gain earthly wealth while despising God’s instruction but what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet loses his soul? (Matthew 16:16, Mark 8:36, Luke 9:25). This is also biblically illustrated in Luke 12:16-21 where this rich man thought he gained wisdom in storing up much wealth and declared to enjoy his riches and yet God told him as a fool that his life would be taken that very night.
Rekindling Godly wisdom transpires when you fear the Lord. You have your free will but always ask God’s wisdom, so you don’t get trapped in a faulty human understanding. Incorporate the fear of the Lord in your daily life and always make your decisions following God’s approval, and you will be able to resist the negative influences in this world (Proverbs 3:5-6). Setting your mind on Christ and meditating on His word will enable you to resist temptations and other negative influences of this world. You’ll be able to get rid of all anger and evil speech. When your life is under the Lordship of Jesus Christ (John 1:12) the devil will flee from you and will not be lead astray from the truthfulness of God’s Word. When you decide to make Jesus the Lord of your life, you will experience the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that will prompt you to avoid doing things that are not pleasing to the Lord (John 16:8).
Everything follows when you fear the Lord. As mentioned in Proverbs 22:4 The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life”.