“A Self-Help Influencer with Troubles of Her Own.” The headline appeared in last week’s New York Times and offered enough bait for me to click the link. Full disclosure: I think the existence of “influencers” is a bitter indictment of the sad state of our culture, and I wondered if I might take delight in the woes of one member of a breed of such pernicious persons. I was not disappointed

The article is about an influencer who, according to the Times, “millions look to (…) for advice on how to achieve contentment and maintain healthy relationships.” It turns out that she has achieved little contentment in her own life and that her personal relationships are a disaster, even according to the New York Times, which, in its current iteration, has not seen a left-leaning relationship trend it cannot endorse (currently all in for polyamory). The on-again off-again estrangement with her two partners and the lawsuits filed against one another do not paint a picture of contentment and healthy relationships.

The English Standard Bible translates the Greek word κανῶν as “area of influence” (kanon – from which we get the English word “canon” – a standard or rule of faith and conduct). As Paul writes to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 11:13-18) he speaks of the area of influence God has assigned. He desires that he might influence others for the sake of the Gospel.

So, was the apostle Paul an early influencer? Must I add his name to the list of pernicious persons polluting the world around them? Maybe not.

The influencer, whose sad story is told in the New York Times, may give good advice and offer self-help on how to achieve happiness and maintain healthy relationships, but at best hers is an example of doing what she says and not what she does. I don’t intend to follow her Instagram posts, listen to her podcast, or read her books, but I will continue to read Paul’s letters.

Paul is a bold “do as I say and do as I do” influencer.

Again, the to the Corinthians, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1).
To the Thessalonians he writes, “You ought to imitate us . . , (as we) give you an example to imitate.” (2 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

The writer of Hebrews expands the circle from apostles to pastors and elders and Sunday school teachers: “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” (Hebrews 13:7)

One of the marks of the Christian life is becoming an influencer for the sake of Christ and the good news. We point not to ways we might help ourselves, however, but to the One who has promised his “Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name.” (John 14:26)

Oh, to be a member of such a breed! Who might I influence today?