Influencers. Today’s world is filled with them. The easy way people can link through the internet’s various platforms means some influencers are able to rake in the cash. One such person is expecting to bring in about $1.5 million this year with her online videos of various products. That’s a lot of influence! Or at least…a lot of money.

I began thinking about this as I watched the saga of the famous slap at the American film awards, the Oscars. That incident has consumed viewers and commanded much media attention for over a week. My question…why? Why do we care about what these performers do or say? Is there no other news or other events that could draw our attention these days? Does being famous make them wise?

My guess is that, by and large, we have allowed celebrities to be influencers in our lives. We think what they say and do somehow matters. And it isn’t just celebrities. We often let those who write books or hold seminars influence us, whether their information is well founded or not.

I’m all for gaining knowledge in areas of business, ministry, or relationships. But we need to be careful who is influencing us in these important areas. Online or actual bookstores are filled with books on leadership. Yet do they have a biblical base? Some do. Others are just man’s best thinking. Solomon had a word about that:

For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Proverbs 2:6 NLT

Henry and Richard Blackaby address this critical area in their devotional Experiencing God Day by Day:

“The world is full of ‘experts.’ There are people everywhere who want to convince you of the wisdom of their opinion. Yet God says that it is not the one who declares his viewpoint the most loudly or vociferously who is the wisest, but the one who is vindicated over time.”

The Bible has stood the test of time and continues to provide God’s wisdom for today’s needs. That same daily devotional reminds us of the importance of using God’s Word as our primary guide:

“It is critical that you measure everything you hear against the Scriptures. Trends in psychology and philosophy come and go, but God’s Word is timeless.”

Do you want your life to be guided by good ideas…or God’s truth? Be careful what or who you let influence you. Many will try. Weigh it all against the wisdom the Lord has for us in His Word.

God’s best…