They are called influencers. They might be athletes, actors, or musicians.

By definition, influencers influence. They can change the thinking or behavior of their followers, and the top influencers have an enormous following. Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo leads the pack with one billion followers on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Singer and actress Selena Gomez has almost seven hundred million followers. And there are countless others.

Was Jesus an influencer? His enemies thought so. Hostility toward Jesus spiked after his most spectacular miracle—raising Lazarus back to life. Following that miracle, the Sanhedrin—the highest religious court of the Jews—convened to discuss what to do with Jesus. The dilemma? “If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him” (John 11:48).

That exaggerated concern continued on Palm Sunday. Realizing that many people in Jerusalem greeted Jesus that day because they had heard of Lazarus’ resurrection, the Pharisees concluded, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!” (John 12:19).

Some did not appreciate the influence Jesus was having on people, and that led to the Lord’s arrest, trial, and crucifixion. But that was all part of God’s eternal plan to rescue a world of sinners.

Was the apostle Paul an influencer? Some people thought so and did not like it. During his third missionary journey, a riot broke out in Ephesus, and Paul was in the center of it. The apostle’s preaching had put a dent into the local economy; fewer people were buying shrines associated with the goddess Artemis.

At a meeting where tradespeople discussed this situation, a silversmith named Demetrius commented, “You see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia” (Acts 19:26).

Paul’s influence led to increasingly more trouble for him, eventually his imprisonment and execution.

Are you an influencer? That is how God sees it. Consider Jesus’ instruction in the Sermon on the Mount, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Through the power of the Holy Spirit, our words and Christian behavior can have a positive influence on others—to the degree that they join us in praising the only true God.

One of the ministry stories I used to share with students dealt with influence. A woman who had just moved into an assisted living facility shared with me a significant change in her life. “We have assigned seating at meals,” she said, “and I am at a table of grumblers.” She vowed to do her best and not adopt their attitudes.

On the next visit, I received a progress report. She said there was still grumbling at mealtimes, but that was not interfering with her practice of bowing her head and offering a silent prayer before eating.

Then she shared a surprising experience: A man whose assigned seat was at the other side of the room approached her and said, “I’ve been watching you. I haven’t prayed since I was a little boy, but I’m praying again because of you.” The woman was an influencer without even knowing it.

Imagine what could happen when we realize we are influencers. Be an influencer.

James Pope | FIC Editor

Author: James Pope
Volume 113, Number 03
Issue: March 2026