Influence— In a general sense, influence denotes power whose operation is invisible and known only by its effects, or a power whose cause and operation are unseen. Moral power, power of truth operating on the mind, rational faculties or the will, in persuading. Webster's 1828 Dictionary

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 133

Every act of our lives affects others for good or evil. Our influence is tending upward or downward; it is felt, acted upon, and to a greater or less degree reproduced by others. If by our example we aid others in the development of good principles, we give them power to do good. In their turn they exert the same beneficial influence upon others, and thus hundreds and thousands are affected by our unconscious influence.

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 111

The influence of every man's thoughts and actions surrounds him like an invisible atmosphere, which is unconsciously breathed in by all who come in contact with him.

What surrounds each one of us as an invisible atmosphere?

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 60

The ambassadors of Christ have a responsible and sacred work before them. They are savors of life unto life, or death unto death. Their influence decides the destiny of souls for whom Christ died.

What decides the destiny of souls?

Mount of Blessings, p. 129

The revelation of Christ in your own character will have a transforming power upon all with whom you come in contact. Let Christ be daily made manifest in you, and He will reveal through you the creative energy of His word—a gentle, persuasive, yet mighty influence to recreate other souls in the beauty of the Lord our God.

What mighty influence is needed in our lives to recreate others?

This Day with God, p. 146

God designs that the teacher of the Bible should in his character and home life be a specimen of the principles of the truth which he is teaching to his fellow men.

What a man is has greater influence than what he says. The quiet, consistent, godly life is a living epistle, known and read of all men.

Desire of Ages, pp. 141, 142

One of the most effective ways of winning souls to Him is in exemplifying His character in our daily life. Our influence upon others depends not so much upon what we say as upon what we are. Men may combat and defy our logic, they may resist our appeals; but a life of disinterested love is an argument they cannot gainsay. A consistent life, characterized by the meekness of Christ, is a power in the world. 

What is our influence of others based upon?

Desire of Ages, p. 307

The consistent life, the holy conversation, the unswerving integrity, the active, benevolent spirit, the godly example,—these are the mediums through which light is conveyed to the world.

How is light given to the world?

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, pp. 693, 694

When perfect faith and perfect love and obedience abound, working in the hearts of those who are Christ's followers they will have a powerful influence. Light will emanate from them, dispelling the darkness around them, refining and elevating all who come within the sphere of their influence, and bringing to a knowledge of the truth all who are willing to be enlightened and to follow in the humble path of obedience.

How can we have a powerful influence?

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 132

I saw that the words, the dress, and actions should tell for God. Then a holy influence will be shed upon all, and all will take knowledge of them that they have been with Jesus. Unbelievers will see that the truth we profess has a holy influence and that faith in Christ's coming affects the character of the man or woman. If any wish to have their influence tell in favor of the truth, let them live it out and thus imitate the humble Pattern.

When will a holy influence be shed upon all?

Counsels on Stewardship, p. 115

The influence of a holy life is felt at home and abroad. The practical benevolence, the self-denial and self-sacrifice, which mark the life of a man, have an influence for good upon those with whom he associates.

How can we have an influence for good?

Mount of Blessing, p. 23

A word of sympathy, an act of kindness, would lift burdens that rest heavily upon weary, shoulders. And every word or deed of unselfish kindness is an expression of the love of Christ for lost humanity.

Mount of Blessing, p. 128

You must be good before you can do good. You cannot exert an influence that will transform others until your own heart has been humbled and refined and made tender by the grace of Christ. When this change has been wrought in you, it will be as natural for you to live to bless others as it is for the rosebush to yield its fragrant bloom or the vine its purple clusters.

In what way will it be natural for you to bless others?

Mount of Blessing, p. 36

The love of Christ is diffusive and aggressive. If it is dwelling in us, it will flow out to others. We shall come close to them till their hearts are warmed by our unselfish interest and love. The sincere believers diffuse vital energy, which is penetrating and imparts new moral power to the souls for whom they labour. It is not the power of the man himself, but the power of the Holy Spirit that does the transforming work.

Mount of Blessing, p. 85

By maintaining a connection with God, we shall be enabled to diffuse to others, through our association with them, the light, peace, the serenity, that rule in our hearts.

Through a connection with God what can we diffuse to those we associate with?

Christ's Object Lessons, pp. 339–342

Every soul is surrounded by an atmosphere of its own —an atmosphere, it may be, charged with the life-giving power of faith, courage, and hope, and sweet with the fragrance of love. Or it may be heavy and chill with the gloom of discontent and selfishness, or poisonous with the deadly taint of cherished sin. By the atmosphere surrounding us, every person with whom we come in contact is consciously or unconsciously affected.

This is a responsibility from which we cannot free ourselves. Our words, our acts, our dress, our deportment, even the expression of the countenance, has an influence. Upon the impression thus made there hang results for good or evil which no man can measure. Every impulse thus imparted is seed sown which will produce its harvest. It is a link in the long chain of human events, extending we know not whither. If by our example we aid others in the development of good principles, we give them power to do good. In their turn they excert the same influence upon others, and they upon still others. Thus by our unconscious influence thousands may be blessed.

Throw a pebble into the lake, and a wave is formed, and another and another; and as they increase, the circle widens, until it reaches the very shore. So with our influence. Beyond our knowledge or control it tells upon others in blessing or in cursing.

Character is power. The silent witness of a true, unselfish, godly life carries an almost irresistible influence. By revealing in our own life the character of Christ we cooperate with Him in the work of saving souls. It is only by revealing in our life His character that we can cooperate with Him. And the wider the sphere of our influence, the more good we may do. When those who profess to serve God follow Christ's example, practicing the principles of the law in their daily life; when every act bears witness that they love God supremely and their neighbor as themselves, then will the church have power to move the world.

It is only through the grace of God that we can make a right use of this endowment. There is nothing in us of ourselves by which we can influence others for good. If we realize our helplessness and our need of divine power, we shall not trust to ourselves. We know not what results a day, an hour, or a moment may determine, and never should we begin the day without committing our ways to our Heavenly Father. His angels are appointed to watch over us, and if we put ourselves under their guardianship, then in every time of danger they will be at our right hand. When unconsciously we are in danger of exerting a wrong influence, the angels will be by our side, prompting us to a better course, choosing our words for us, and influencing our actions. Thus our influence may be a silent, unconscious, but mighty power in drawing others to Christ and the heavenly world.

How many people have an atmosphere about them?

With what may our influence be charged, that can bring life-giving power?

What kind of character brings a heavy chill and poisonous influence?

How can we aid others to do good?

When will the church have power to move the world?

How may our influence be a mighty power for drawing others to Christ?

Christ's Object Lessons, pp. 383, 384

Our profession may be as high as heaven, but it will save neither ourselves nor our fellow men unless we are Christians. A right example will do more to benefit the world than all our profession.…

Gospel religion is Christ in the life—a living, active principle. It is the grace of Christ revealed in character and wrought out in good works. The principles of the gospel cannot be disconnected from any department of practical life. Every line of Christian experience and labor is to be a representation of the life of Christ.

What will be of more benefit to the world than our profession?

What is gospel religion?

Steps to Christ, p. 115

Christians are set as light bearers on the way to heaven. They are to reflect to the world the light shining upon them from Christ. Their life and character should be such that through them others will get a right conception of Christ and of His services.

In what way does the world receive a right knowledge of Christ?

Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 264

Gentleness and love cherished in the heart will appear in self-denial, in true courtesy. Such workers will be the light of the world.

Prophets and Kings, p. 348

We cannot gather up the thoughts we have planted in human minds. If they have been evil, we may have set in motion a train of circumstances, a tide of evil, which we are powerless to stay.

On the other hand, if by our example we aid others in the development of good principles, we give them power to do good. In their turn they exert the same beneficial influence over others. Thus hundreds and thousands are helped by our unconscious influence.

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 654

The influence of a thoughtless word may affect a soul's eternal destiny . Every person is exerting an influence upon the lives of others. We must be either as a light to brighten and cheer their path, or as a desolating tempest to destroy. We are either leading our associates upward to happiness and immortal life, or downward to sorrow and eternal ruin. No man will perish alone in his iniquity. However contracted may be ones sphere of influence, it is exerted either for good or for evil. One man upon his deathbed exclaimed: "Gather up my influence, and bury it with me." Could this be done? No, no; like the thistleseed it had been borne everywhere and had taken root and would yield an abundant harvest.

The influence of what may affect a soul's eternal destiny?

How many people exert an influence on the life of others?

In which directions can our influence lead people?

Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 556

There are few who realize how far-reaching is the influence of their words and acts.… Everyone is exerting an influence upon others, and will be held accountable for the result of that influence. Words and actions have a telling power, and the long hereafter will show the effect of our life here. The impression made by our words and deeds will surely react upon ourselves in blessing or in cursing. This thought gives an awful solemnity to life, and should draw us to God in humble prayer that He will guide us by His wisdom.

Ministry of Healing, p. 470

The badge of Christianity is not an outward sign, not the wearing of a cross or a crown, but it is that which reveals the union of man with God. By the power of His grace manifested in the transformation of character the world is to be convinced that God has sent His Son as its Redeemer. No other influence that can surround the human soul has such power as the influence of an unselfish life. To live such a life, to exert such and influence, costs at every step, effort, self-sacrifice, discipline.

What is the badge of Christianity?

To live this life, and exert this influence costs us what three things?

Welfare Ministry, p. 298

The good works of God's people have a more powerful influence than words. By their virtuous life and unselfish acts, the beholder is led to desire the same righteousness which produced so good fruit.