It’s a lesson on the power of influence every time I observe my three-year-old.
If “Peppa Pig” (a British animated series) made a repeated appearance on the television that week, suddenly Joseph said pounds instead of euros and “wotah” instead of water. If he had watched David and Goliath on “Superbook”, you can bet he’s taking out his wooden sword and swinging it around the living room. Lately, he’s even resorted to demanding we help him grow a beard right away – just like his father.
I smile at his antics and go about my chores. Later in the day, I come across something on social media. It might be anything- a girl wearing a cute top, a kitchen gadget that promises to make my life instantly easier, a bedroom painted in just the right shade of blue, or a plush toy for my one-year-old. I allot these thoughts space in my mind and wonder if making that purchase would be worth it.
Influencers.
That’s what the people on social media pushing products are called. And how subtle it has become! A person doing a home tour on their channel makes a list of every single item in their apartment and where they got it, in the description box. They do this because they never know which item has caught the eye of which person. I’ve repeatedly seen videos of someone talking about their pet only to read multiple queries in the comments section:
“Where did you get that pouf from? It. Is. Stunning.”
“Girl, what have you done to your hair? Can you do a video on that? I’d love to show that to my hairdresser. I need a new look.”
“Your dog is such a cutie but can we take a minute to talk about that art hanging behind you? Please tell me it’s a print so I can get it off Etsy.”
Since social media makes viewing everything so feasible, we are truly challenged to “guard our hearts with all diligence” every day. If you are a person who finds pleasure in watching movies or television series, it makes things that much more hard. When we identify with a particular character, it is easy to get carried away and to adopt certain mannerisms and attribute that is unique to them. This can often compromise our personality, shape our thinking and response to situations, and consumer behaviour. Needless to say, it is rarely a positive influence.
As believers, we ought to be focussed on living a life based on Romans 12:2 – “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” How do we achieve this? What will stand against all the voices that surround us all day every day? What is powerful enough to silence all those voices?
The Word of God.
Our life’s goal must be to be so immersed in the word of God that they become our primary influence. It must be so ingrained into our hearts that it becomes the yardstick by which we gauge all and any other influence that we may be exposed to. It must exercise the ultimate authority over our lives and always have the last say. This does not simply occur on its own without any effort on our part. We must make the ongoing daily decision to meditate upon the word of God as it says in Jeremiah 15:16 “Your words were found and I ate them, And Your words became a joy to me and the delight of my heart; for I have been called by Your name, Lord God of armies.” No doubt, it is a difficult choice to make each day. To spend our time scrolling through social media and watch movies all day is an effortless choice. It lulls us into a kind of drunken stupor that makes us oblivious to the matters of eternal significance. On the other hand, the man who spends his time meditating on the Word is better prepared “to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age” (Titus 2:12). What we choose to spend time on will eventually dictate how we lead our lives.
This brings us to an important question: What kind of influence am I on others? Do I strive to set a compelling, Christ-centered example? Does my life draw spark interest and curiosity in the life of non-believers as to what makes me different? Does it challenge fellow believers to earnestly strive to reflect more of Christ? Can I boldly say, “The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:9)?
Sisters, in this world that is filled with “loud” women who yield only to their purposes, are you prayerfully asking God to use you as an example for “a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight” (1 Peter 3:4)? Do you clothe yourself modestly, not dependant on the latest fashions or trends? Does your sense of style exhibit your aversion to sin and seek to draw other’s attention to God? Let us be fully submitted to Christ. Let the next generation of impressionable young girls find an excellent example of godly character in you. May your life teach them the great value of being subject to your husband in everything. What an invaluable illustration of godly living that would exhibit! Do not underestimate the power of such living testimonies in the hearts and minds of the generation of women rising after you.
Young people, careful what you watch and what you listen to. If you choose to watch romantic dramas, scripted reality shows, and porn, you are building your life and marriage on very shaky ground. If you listen to love songs all day and use them to feed your idea of a quixotic life, be sure that you are setting yourself up for disappointment. Young sister, if you base your wardrobe and make-up on what you see on the screen, make no mistake that you will never be content with what you have.
Dearly beloved, this world is not our own. As we begin to steep ourselves in the word of God, He will bring a lasting change into our hearts. It will spring from the knowledge that “Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20) and that “Here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come” (Hebrews 13:14). Let us ask God for the wisdom to make the most of our time here on Earth since the days are evil (Ephesians 5:16). Make time to give large portions of the day to meditating upon and memorizing Scripture. Doing so turns your focus away from the things of the world and wields the Word of God as the greatest influence upon your life.
“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.” (1 Peter 1:13-15)