Influence. Noun: the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways : sway; the act or power of producing an effect without apparent exertion of force or direct exercise of command. Verb: to affect or alter by indirect or intangible means; to have an effect on the condition or development of.1
It used to be that you never thought about influencing someone else. It just happened and you found out about it later. Today, we have influencers, individuals who have intentionally set out to influence a culture. “An influencer is someone who has the power to affect the purchasing decisions of others because of his or her authority, knowledge, position, or relationship with his or her audience. Influencers are usually active on social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, X, TikTok, and Instagram.
“Typically, each influencer is known for a specific niche—be it fashion, travel, gaming, beauty, cooking, fitness, or any other interest area. They create content around their niche, and people who follow them are interested in that particular topic.”2
Looking at the kids on my bus and in the school, I got to thinking one morning that there are those who are very influential, acting as influencers upon the easily influenced. Typically, this gets the easily influenced kid in trouble, just as it did back in the day when I was a kid.
We called them instigators or troublemakers. They knew how to get others to do their bidding while they sat back and watched the show. The easily influenced bit on the bait like a hungry guppy without considering that the bait was hiding a hook.
Something needs to change in our mindset. We need a world full of Christian influencers who are “marketing” the most wonderful thing that will change your life! We don’t need
more people hawking clothing and fashion, gadgets, makeup tips, fitness, or anything else. We need influencers for Jesus! That’s what Jesus was calling for in Matthew 5:13-16.
“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. (14) Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (15) Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. (16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Salt influences the food it touches. Light influences the darkness it eradicates. Good works influence the lives it impacts. All of it influences for the glory of the Father which is in Heaven.
Every Christian has been called to be an influencer. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” As we “walk in them,” we are having an influence, making the Lord’s presence known wherever we go.
As we start this work week, let’s determine not to allow ourselves to be influenced by the world. Instead, let’s set out to be influencers for the Lord. 1 Peter 2:11-12 encourages this. “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; (12) Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.”
1https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/influence
2https://influencermarketinghub.com/what-is-an-influencer/
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