One of the most popular words in today’s popular culture is “influencer.” The word has come to mean someone who has developed a sizable following on one or more social media channels and uses that status to shape opinions, influence trends and suggest purchasing decisions. While the title “Influencer” is widely sought today, we need to be careful about what is popular in the world around us.
Scripture records numerous influencers throughout history for our learning. A striking account is found in Genesis 3:1. Here, the first woman, Eve, is approached by the first influencer. “Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” As we read through their encounter, we see that Eve knew right from wrong (verse 2), but the serpent had the attention of half of the world’s population. In verses 4-5, he (Satan) begins to exercise his influence. Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:4-5) That influence found its mark, and we see in verse 6: “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.”
The world’s first influencer used his status for evil and the result impacted more than just those he swayed with his persuasive words. Fortunately for us (and all of mankind), another influencer, with entirely different (and pure) goals, would come. Beginning with a consistent following of only about twelve men, this Man came with the power to set things right. In Matthew 21:8-9, the Bible describes the scene as Jesus enters the city of Jerusalem. “And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ Hosanna in the highest!”
While we don’t know how much long-term influence Christ had on those who praised Him in the moment, we do know that His influence is powerful and life-changing for many. Realizing that an individual’s influence can result in terrible loss or wonderful victory, these accounts leave us with two questions to ponder. First, will we allow ourselves to fall victim to those influencers whose motives are self-serving and evil? Secondly, and more importantly, will we develop and use our influence for God’s glory? Christ was not an “influencer” in the contemporary sense of the word, yet His influence continues to change lives for lasting good. With that as our example, are we influencers in the pattern of Jesus or the serpent?
—Martin Kent Miller