Tag: Influencers

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Losing our footing.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

You already know these things, dear friends. So be on guard; then you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing. Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen. ‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Peter’s warnings about such things that happen in the last days. He writes about folks who are carried away, using the Greek word, “sunapagó.” The New Testament description of being led away or carried along with others. Culture has always been a powerful force of influence on us! We are relational beings, so we are especially affected by social viruses that spread quickly through popularity, influencers and a strong desire to belong. As with any temptation to wander away, we see the flashy objects that look good, even desirable – sound familiar? When our eyes are fixated on what looks good to our eyes and makes us look wise, it should tip us off that there is normally an enemy whispering for us to eat it and share it others.

Peter matches this idea of being enamored and swept off our feet with another powerful word. He writes that these cultural icons we are so smitten with are actually “athesmos.” The term “athesmos” is used to describe individuals or actions that are contrary to divine law or moral order. It conveys a sense of being without regard for God’s commandments or ethical standards. In the New Testament, it is often used to highlight the moral corruption and rebellious nature of certain people (Biblehub).

These influencers can cause us to lose our own secure footing (New Living Translation), our own “stérigmos.” The word for being firmly established or having a stable foundation. It conveys the idea of spiritual steadfastness and the ability to remain unwavering in one’s faith and convictions. Can the lure of culture mixed with the corrupt morals of powerful carriers cause us to LOSE our own stability in Jesus? Peter says – YES, absolutely. Peter also says that we should know better. Of course we know with our head, but we allow our hearts to be swayed, longing to be in with the crowd.

The antidote to these powerful social viruses is to constantly grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus. To “auxanó” grow or increase our spiritual and communal development! Staying curious, humble and continually learning and investing in our primary relationship with God. There is a lust of belonging or going along with the current trends of others. We often fear of standing out or standing up for what we believe. We must stand not shrink! We must lead not be led or swayed! Paul told the Corinthians, who faced a plethora of plurality and squishy morals – stand firm in the faith, be strong!

Prayer

​Dad,
There are so many flashy, lusty lures and shiny people to distract us from keeping our eyes on you. It is constant and consistently dangled in front of us. It’s like the scene of the forbidden fruit of good and evil playing on repeat over and over again. Except this fruit is not good! Sin is so powerful. Our disordered desires so subtle. We need the power of your grace to hold us fast, keeping our footing secure as we grow. Help us be strong. Amen.

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Wisdom speaks her mind.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“When they cry for help, I will not answer. Though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me. For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the Lord. They rejected my advice and paid no attention when I corrected them. Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way, choking on their own schemes. For simpletons turn away from me—to death. Fools are destroyed by their own complacency. But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭1‬:‭28‬-‭33‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It does not help that just before I read this passage out of Proverbs I watched a news clip about a famous group of “influencers” trashing a 10 million dollar home in Hollywood Hills (I flipped on the tele just for a weather report 🥴). These TikTok/YouTube “stars” make money living like kings off eyeballs, clicks and likes from companies who pay them! They have now grouped together signing deals with Netflix for an even larger audience, and generally wrecking havoc on our social culture.

But, influencers aren’t the point here and neither are their antics. The point is wisdom, personified as God Himself, will only call or warn for so long, then she will let you do what you are determined to do – even to the point of your own demise. Earlier in the chapter Wisdom shouts, cries and calls out to those who are simpletons (fools) and mockers. Here in these verses, she is done trying to convince youthful, boundary-less souls to change their ways. Now, she will not answer, she will remain hidden because they hated common sense knowledge and CHOSE not to fear God. You know that even though God can save a soul, He rarely saves us from the consequences of our sin.

Wisdom warns that the fruit of ignoring her is very bitter and she’ll laugh (vs 26) when we choke on our own selfish schemes. Exasperated, Wisdom says that fools are destroyed by their own complacency. You can run, play your games and lap up a sense of power, even wealth, feeling indestructible and untouchable. However, it won’t last forever and the end of that story, your story, will be a tragedy.

Here’s the good news! Proverbs wasn’t written for the wayward fool. Wisdom calls for the young who are looking for answers, for guidance purpose and direction. Wisdom speaks to the curious, the learner, the lonely.

Wisdom is not really trying to warn the influencers, she’s trying to warn the followers, millions of teens looking for entertainment, but aching to fill an unquenchable void in their lives. There are 2.47 billion zoomers (Genz) in the world and 68 million of them are here in the U.S. This is the population that Wisdom (God) wants to warn and win over.

I had to survive similar situations in the seventies, but it was nowhere near the level of difficulty today. Divorce and deadbeat Dads were just on the rise when I was a teen. Single parenting, blended families, “latch-key,” and all day preschool care were still outliers. Now, “intact” marriages are rare and fractured families are the norm.

Teens are raising themselves or worse leaning on highly addictive social media for guidance. Company’s don’t care about their souls, they are after their MONEY. Children and youth should not be left on their own to learn about life! Teachers and mental health hotlines, whether helpful or not, cannot be the foster parents for America’s children. America needs Wisdom. This generation needs God.

Prayer

Dad,
My heart aches and breaks for the disparity and despair in this next generation that needs You so desperately. I would have never made it without you. THEY will not make it without you. Pour out your Spirit on our zoomers! Lavishly distribute your wisdom among them. Show up in their dreams, whisper to them in their darkest moments. Be THEIR God, their father and mother. They are orphaned without your help.