Who Are Your Influencers?

Through their messages, communicated through various means, influencers disseminate, cultivate and promote ideas, worldviews, lifestyles, behaviors, trends. Influencers serve as points of reference for that which they promote. They generate or cultivate expectations.

The contemporary social media influencer has access to means of communication that supercharge one's potential reach. With the relevant tools, the possibility of influencing a great number of people from various places and who are immersed in diverse cultures around the world has become more accessible. At the same time, the role of the social media influencer is a contemporary version of a social role that has been exercised throughout history, in various ways, by patriarchs and matriarchs, prophets, philosophers, poets, and others. The social dynamic of influence, which includes influencing and being influenced is ancient and is present both in ample social spheres and in more immediate social circles, such as the family unit. This dynamic constitutes a crucial dimension of the exercise of one's social agency.

In a broad sense of the word, Christians are to be influencers. Jesus taught: “‘You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14–16; New American Standard Bible 2020). Christians are to be conscious of their role to shine and, therefore, to influence others, contributing to their glorifying of God.

At the same time, it is important to remember that all of us are influenced by other people. The impact that these influences have upon us may positively nurture or negatively interfere with the exercise of our influence upon others. Therefore, awareness concerning who are our influencers should precede our concern with influencing others. Whoever wants to influence well should consider and be aware of who influences him. Such awareness is of great importance, especially in light of the biblical warning concerning evil influencers, "false prophets," "false teachers" (2 Peter 2:1; NASB2020), evil spiritual leaders (Jeremiah 23:2), people who influence others for evil (Revelation 2:14, 20). Influencers vary in the motivations behind their influence and in the quality of the ideas they promote (see 2 Peter 2:1–3).

Who, then, are your influencers? Who are those impacting you? Who are those who have served as points of reference for you regarding ideas, worldview, lifestyle? To influence well, be aware of who is influencing you.