We hear about “social media influencers.” Most are young people with a talent for engaging an audience. Celebrities, including singers, actors, and athletes (so many soccer players!), top the lists, but even the highest ranks include four members of the Kardashian family—the family of OJ’s lawyer—who, like Paris Hilton, are merely “famous for being famous.” Further down the list are non-celebrities, once-unknown kids who have made a name for themselves with makeup videos, prank videos, and more.
But why make these people “influencers”? Does an actor’s opinion on politics merit attention? Should the choices of a high-school dropout who is now a famous singer have any credibility? Do you really want to be influenced by people your grandmother might call “empty-headed ninnies”? Do the choices made by celebrities indicate that they possess wisdom?
Who have you chosen to influence you? You get to choose!
“Now we command you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to keep away from everyone who walks irresponsibly…. For you know: YOU MUST IMITATE US. We were not irresponsible among you; we did not eat anyone’s food free of charge; we labored and struggled, working night and day so we would not be a burden. We did it to make ourselves an example to you, so that YOU WOULD IMITATE US. In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: ‘if anyone will not work, neither let him eat.’ …Brothers, do not grow weary in doing good” 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10,13.
Paul dares to say “YOU MUST IMITATE US” (meaning Paul, Timothy, and Silvanus). Are we willing to imitate them?
Do we examine the lives of apostles and elevate them to a place of influence?
What about mature believers we know personally?
Are we looking to the best Christians for influence?
Or are we blindly following the lost (the blind), both friends and famous?
Ask yourself: WHOM DO I IMITATE? Choose the best examples you can. “Be imitators of us and of the Lord” I Thessalonians 1:6.
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Household Words: 