Influencers and Influence
Social media has thrown the term influencer into the forefront of our consciousness. Through blogs, YouTube, Facebook, and other social media outlets, people are expressing themselves and influencing the thoughts and views of many other people. Advertisers, political campaigns, and television programming rely on polls that often reflect the views of the most popular influencers.
The weight of the effect of influence, especially in the political arena, has been seen through allegations of influence peddling. People who have a popular following are able to sway great numbers of people to follow their particular views. This, however, is not new. It has just found a new platform to make its effect. As long as there has been advertising, influence has been the goal.
Influence is not a bad word. Parents influence their children to accept certain things and to live in a certain way. Influence is a major part of dating. Even preachers and teachers of the Bible are influencing their hearers to accept their concepts. Furthermore, it is not possible to avoid influence because every day people are influenced by the way we live and talk.
Influence is so powerful that Jesus made it a cornerstone of his faithful followers. He said in Matthew 5:13, “You are the salt of the earth…” Again, He said in verse 14, “you are the light of the world…” His message to his followers was, “let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16).
There are at least 6 words, or forms of a word, In the original Greek language of the New Testament that are a part of the discussion of influence. These words are template, precedent, display, impression, imitate, and tracing. Through these words we can see, not only the influence that Christians have, but also the way Christians might be influenced negatively by those around them.
Three of these words seem to be about the influencer. Paul admitted the sin of his former life as “…a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man…” Then he said, “…in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern (template) to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.” (I Timothy 1:13, 16). Paul set the precedent that it is “…more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35). Jude recorded that the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were on display “as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” (Jude 7).
The other three of these words seem to be about those who are influenced. Thomas wanted to see the impression of the nailprints in Jesus’ hands to aid his belief (John 20:25). Paul told his readers to “imitate” him as long as he was following Jesus. (I Corinthians 11:1). Peter encouraged his readers to trace the example that Jesus had left for them (I Peter 2:21).
There is no doubt that we are constantly bombarded with various influences. And, there is no doubt that we are constantly influencing others around us. It is important therefore that we think seriously about our own influence and about the things that are influencing us.
— Mike Johnson
