You may have heard the word “influencer” in the last few years. The idea isn’t new, but it has taken on new prominence in our social media world today. According to Wikipedia – “Influencer marketing is a form of social media marketing involving endorsements and product placement from influencers, individuals and organizations who have a purported expert level of knowledge or social influence in their field. Influencers are people with the power to affect the buying habits or quantifiable actions of others by uploading some form of original—often sponsored—content to social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok or other online channels.”

The two passages below describe the influence we should have and the result of yielding to the bad influences around us.

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. “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 a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 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.

Matthew 5:13-16

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

1 Corinthians 15:33

When the news around us is consistently negative and the culture around us appears to be lost, we must avoid believing the lie that we have no influence. No matter how small our circle, we are called to be salt and light to those around us. Let’s make the most of our influence for God’s glory.