We are routinely influenced by a variety of factors. Our past experiences influence our views of different situations and then what we expect will happen next. Our environment influences the choices that we can make and the results of those choices. Our thoughts influence our attitudes. These influencing factors exhibit some degree of control over our actions.
In John 19:14-15 Pilate speaks to the crowd of religious Jews; “Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, ‘Behold your King!’ They cried out, ‘Away with him, away with him, crucify him!’ Pilate said to them, ‘Shall I crucify your King?’ The chief priests answered, ‘We have no king but Caesar.'” The religious Jews had moved so far away from God that they did not recognize God’s promised Savior King. Instead, they called for His crucifixion and even called Caesar their king. Every decision we make has the potential to draw us closer to God or move us away from Him. We must be careful to seek Him at all times and let Him influence our thoughts and actions.
