The Weight of Influence
Who’s Really Leading?
Dear Friends,
There’s something you learn real quick in a fight—whether it’s fists, words, or just a hard week: you’re either leading the moment or being led by it. The same goes for influence. You’re either owning your voice or echoing somebody else’s.
Guys, Guns, and God gets right into it. Not just with vague motivational fluff, but with a clear-eyed look at what happens when we let weak influences shape strong men.
And let’s be honest—most of us think we’re immune. We think, “I’m my own man. I make my own choices.” But the truth is, influence doesn’t always show up with a neon sign. It shows up in habits. In language. In who you admire. In quiet ways, you start compromising when no one’s watching.
One of the strongest ideas from this book is this: You can’t lead if you don’t know who you’re following. That hit me hard the first time I read it.
Because if you’re following culture… good luck. It shifts like sand. If you’re following comfort, you’ll never stretch into anything that requires grit. If you’re following bitterness, ego, or lust? Eventually, you’ll crash.
Guys, Guns, and God doesn’t just tell you to be a leader. It asks you to look at who and what is leading you now.
Let’s bring it back to Proverbs.
Proverbs 6:12–15 (NLT) talks about the kind of influence you want to avoid:
“What are worthless and wicked people like? They are constant liars, signaling their deceit with a wink of the eye, a nudge of the foot, or the wiggle of fingers. Their perverted hearts plot evil, and they constantly stir up trouble.”
It’s not always loud or obvious. Sometimes influence sneaks in sideways. But the outcome is the same: it pulls you off course. It slowly erodes your strength. And eventually, you forget what your own voice sounds like.
The book calls this out directly—how easy it is to parrot other people’s values without even realizing it. The kind of “borrowed boldness” that feels strong in the moment but disappears when you’re on your own. Real strength isn’t borrowed. It’s built. And that takes leadership.
So, what does leadership look like in this context?
It looks like:
- Owning your choices, even when they’re unpopular.
- Naming the habits and voices that are pulling you off course.
- Getting brutally honest about what’s shaping your life and your priorities.
That’s not some self-help mantra. That’s spiritual clarity. That’s a man who isn’t led by the news cycle, or a paycheck, or his buddies’ approval, or a screen full of algorithms that reward outrage and impulse. That’s a man who’s awake.
The book gives a simple warning: If you’re not intentional, you will be influenced. That’s not a maybe. It’s a guarantee. The question isn’t if—it’s by who.
And here’s the encouragement: influence isn’t just something you receive. It’s something you give. And when you start leading from the right place—when your decisions are rooted in truth, when your habits match your convictions—people notice. Your kids notice. Your friends notice. Even strangers notice.
You were made to influence with strength, not follow with excuses.
Here’s the question that matters today: Who’s shaping you? And are you okay with that?
Because at some point, your voice matters. Your choices matter. And the path you’re walking… someone else might follow.
Make it one worth walking.
Stay encouraged—your story is still unfolding.
Randy Abramovic
Author, “Guys, Guns and God”
P.S.
Distractions don’t have to win. Have you found ways to stay focused—even in chaos?
Share this with a friend who needs it. Spreading information about God is how we show our love, for Him.
About The Book
“Guys, Guns and God” is a self-improvement challenge. By investing in yourself, you will discover a deep desire to be more productive and effective in life by building up your confidence, competence, and integrity.
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Email: Randy@GuysGunsAndGod.com
Website: www.GuysGunsAndGod.com