Are you a Man of Influence?

A Mother's Advice to a King

August 1, 2008 by: Roger Bain | The Bain Journal 4 Comments

In all of my observations of Proverbs 31, I’ve usually labeled it as many do as the “Virtuous Woman Chapter.” In Proverbs 31, the mother of King Lemuel describes to him the “virtuous women,” the kind of woman a King should share his life with.  Although the chapter is mainly a description of the Virtuous Woman, King Lemuel’s mother also gives him four basic instructions on how to stay afloat as a man of influence. The first 10 and many times overlooked verses of Proverbs 31 contain instructions from a mother that are the characteristics of a man deserving of a virtuous woman.  They are the characteristics of a man of influence.

Proverbs 31:1 begins with these words, “The words of King Lemuel, the utterance which his mother taught him.”

Nothing is certainly known concerning King Lemuel, but most rabbis identify him with King Solomon.  The name Lemuel means, “God with him” or “Devoted to God.”  Lemuel was most likely a name or a phrase used to describe an ideal or model King.  Some Bible scholars believe that this was actually Bathsheba giving instruction to King Solomon.  One thing we can be sure of is that this King whether Solomon or not was a man of influence who was receiving sound instruction from his mother.

The mother of King Lemuel gave him four instructions worthy of applying to our lives.  If a man has a desire to be a man of influence, these instructions are worthy of consideration.

1. Don’t give your strength to women(plural). (Proverbs 31:3)
King Lemuel’s mother instructed him to stay out of relationships that would drain strength from his life.  Relationships that drain the strength of a man will always prove to be highly destructive.  King Lemuel’s mother didn’t tell him not to give his strength to a woman, but admonished him to stay away from wasting strength on women(plural).  The “player” mentality has no place in the life of a man that wants to be a Godly influence on people, his heart can’t be drawn away by every pretty face. A man of influence lives a life of commitment and faithfulness that models Christ’s love for his church.

2. Don’t be overcome by un-Godly influences. (Proverbs 31:4,5)
If what is inside of you is not stronger than the influences outside of you, the influences outside will soon destroy wants inside. A man of Influence is influenced by Godly counsel, his wife, and ultimately God. No man is free who cannot command himself. Search for and put away destructive habits. Habits create destiny; something your doing everyday will set the pace for your future.

3. Open your mouth on behalf of the speechless and those in desperate need. (Proverbs 31:8)
Jesus went looking for those who where in hopeless situations. If you want to have influence in the Kingdom of God you must be willing to look for people to minister to. The norm in the American church has been to try an create an atmosphere that people want to come to in our churhes. And while a comfortable place for instruction in the scriptures is necessary, Jesus made an impact by searching for people in desperate need outside of the comfort area, and He gave them hope. A man of influence most be first willing to influence people; wherever they are.

4. Plead the cause of the poor and needy. (Proverbs 31:9)
The word poor here can be translated as depressed, and the word needy as destitute. No matter if people are financially depressed or totally destitute, a man of influence looks for ways to be generous.  In order to be generous, you must first be a good manager of money.  Generosity is not by accident, generous people plan to give.  A man of Influence will plan ahead of time to save some of his resources for those in need. Generosity is a characteristic of great spiritual leaders.  Of all the spiritual leaders in my life I’ve never known one that was stingy.  If you want to be a man of influence you must become a generous giver.

King Lemuel’s mother made it clear that an ideal King accomplishes these four tasks.  Take a look at the way you live your life today.  Are you influencing people for the Kingdom of God?  Are you a man worthy of a virtuous woman?  Are you a man of influence?

I pray today that a desire to do great things for God would be stirred in your heart.  Make a choice today to step towards greatness and become a man of influence.

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