Jesus was in the temple with His disciples, and in comes a poor widow. Silently, almost ashamed, she goes to the offering box and drops in two mites, hoping that no one would notice her little gift. Yet Someone did see her gift, and it was Jesus. He said to His disciples, “Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.” Mark 12:43–44

The story of the widow’s two mites has touched the hearts of many Christians which resulted in many men and women donating millions to charity, and to God’s work. The silent influence of this poor widow has done more than eloquent appeals of many ministers. She was an influence for good.

It is possible, that we also can be an example for wrongdoing and sin, leading others to follow our mistakes. Adam was influenced by his wife to eat the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Because of this sin they had to die and their children had to die; even Jesus had to die. If Eve had not eaten this forbidden fruit then Adam would not have eaten of it either.

Jesus was in the house of Simon the leper, and quietly, without saying one word, a woman enters in and stoops down at the feet of Jesus. No one pays attention to her, until she opens an alabaster box of precious ointment and started to anoint the feet of Jesus. Now suddenly she is noticed, and she becomes the centre of attention. As the sweet smell of the ointment fills the room everyone notices her. The act that she thought to do in secret has become an inspiration to Christians to make similar sacrifices. She spoke a sermon without uttering one word.

Satan, by his example, was able to lead one third of the angels in heaven to turn against God. Later, all these angels were disappointed and sorry that they had followed Satan in his rebellion against God. This shows the great power that example has. Today almost the whole world follows Satan, without realizing the results that will follow.

We may be terrified of Satan, the enemy of our soul, but we may not see the potential danger in our friends, relatives, associates, and even in professing Christians. They may come to us like Eve came to her husband Adam. She professed to love him, and yet at the same time she tempted him to sin, which resulted in Adam losing his life and his removal from paradise.

Your friend may be a faithful Christian in many points except in one, and that is the one point where he will tempt you to sin also. If he does not like someone, he will put him down, and soon you do not like this person either.

Satan has many helpers, even among professed Christians. We must never under estimate the power of example.

If a stone is dropped into a lake, immediately it is no longer visible, but the waves caused by the stone continue in every direction. If evil is spoken of someone, this will be spread out to others, and those who hear it will tell it again to others.

The history of Ancient Israel shows us the power of example. “So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel.” 2 Chronicles 33:9

Israel’s people had a knowledge of God—could they do worse than the heathen? Yet they did, because of the example of their ruler.

A little later they had a different king. “And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel to serve, even to serve the LORD their God. And all his days they departed not from following the LORD, the God of their fathers.” 2 Chronicles 34:33

The leaders and the officers in the churches have a great responsibility to the members, to show them correct examples. If the leaders do not attend every meeting in the church, soon the members stop coming, thinking that church meetings are not important. Yet Sister White writes that if we neglect to attend church meetings, we will lose our faith.

One man, Balaam, caused the death of 24,000 Israelites. What the king of the Moabites could not do with his army, the counsel of Balaam did. The enmity of the Moabites was not as dangerous as was their friendship. They led Israel’s people to worship idols and into immorality.

Is it not the same today? The enmity of the world is not as dangerous as is its friendship. When there is open persecution of God’s people, and they are hated and cast into prisons, this is not as dangerous as when the world comes to us, as God’s people, as a friend, and flatters us and offers their entertainments to us. Then we must watch out because we are in great danger. This shows how much stronger the power of example is than is the power of knowledge. When Christians are in the company of worldly people, often better knowledge is overthrown and they join with others in wrongdoing. One time the people shouted, “Hosanna to the son of David,” and the next time they cried out, “crucify Him,” because it was popular to do so.

In the church the power of example is clearly seen. In the hairdos and in the dress, if worldly fashions are followed by one, soon others will follow. Television, worldly movies, competitive sports and worldly books and magazines turn our minds away from God and into the world.

Therefore God gave us the warning:  “He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth at his eyes from seeing evil; he shall dwell on high.” Isaiah 33:15–16

If it would be possible to resist the evil that surrounds us, the Bible would not be so specific and clear in these things. We need to stop our ears and our eyes from evil, that they would not separate us from God. Paul writes to us, “Wherefore come out from among them,  and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” 2 Corinthians 6:17

It may be your best friend, your relatives, and your family members who keep you out of heaven and out of eternal life.

Now the important fact is that our lives are not our own. We are responsible for others. Our example can influence others to do right or wrong. This especially lays great responsibility upon parents. One day God will ask of the parents, “Where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock?” Jeremiah 13:20.  How many parents destroy their children by their wrong example?

This is the work of our Reform Church; not only to give knowledge to the people, but by our example we can influence others to follow our faith. Only eternity will reveal the far-reaching effects of our example upon others.

A friend who is led by the Holy Spirit is a savour of life to us (2 Corinthians 2:16). In his company we are inspired to do what is right and we will find peace to our souls. Make Jesus your best friend. He will help you and He will never leave you. Amen.

Timo Martin