The Greatest Influencer Ever
Years ago I was present for a conversation between my husband (a believer in Jesus Christ) and one of our neighbors who was anti-Christian but pro “good” works. She was actively engaged in acts of service and was quick to make sure we knew what they were.
The conversation turned argument when the motivation behind our good works came up. My husband pointed out the selfish nature of her works, that she did things to make herself feel (and look) good.
Matthew 5:16 instructs the Christian, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
The more one studies the scripture, the more we understand that the Lord wants us to help others, to teach others, and to influence others. He states it clearly several times. From the great commission in Matthew 28 to the verse above (Matthew 5:16) and many more, we are instructed to influence others. The clear difference is that it is for their good and the glory of God that we are to do these good works.
Though many people today are being lauded as online “influencers,” there is a distinct difference between the secular influence and the one who does works or speaks words to honor God. That major difference is the Influencer Himself, the Holy Spirit in the believer. He is the One who was given to us to direct our steps and to provide the power, the understanding, and the ability to obey God’s Word, so that we are able to influence others for the Lord, not our own glory.
In another conversation (shortly after I was born again) a new friend spoke to me about my “sphere of influence.” Even though I was a mother of pre-teens and worked in jobs serving others I had never considered myself as influential in anyone’s life. Obviously, every believer has this sphere as assigned by God (2 Corinthians 10:13-15). As believers, we will influence others, for the good of the Kingdom or against it.
Being an “influencer” seems to be gaining traction as social media grabs the term and catapults people to that position on the different platforms. Of course, they only push their own agendas and those who agree with it so they “influence” accordingly. Much of the motivation is to gain money, but certainly pride and fame are considerations. Neither can we discount the idea of a demonic agenda.
The negative influence of social media platforms is so clear among the youth of our day. Are we (Christians) “influencing” the way they think about who they listen to and from whom they adopt their “doctrine?”
Paul told Titus (a young man), He must “hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it” (Titus 1:9). And, “But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1).
With what power, what words, and what actions are we influencing others; our own children, neighbors, and anyone in our “sphere of influence” (and you have one, too), regarding what they know and understand about Almighty God and His faithful Influencer in our lives?