Following the Crowd
“Anyone taken as an individual is tolerably sensible and reasonable- as a member of a crowd, he at once becomes a blockhead.”
- Bernard Baruch
Isn’t it amazing how little strength we have to do what’s right while in the midst of a crowd doing wrong? Deciding to do what is right in God’s eyes and sticking with our beliefs in a culture that encourages following the crowd is the ultimate test of our strength and character. It is a tremendous struggle to stand out so starkly in front of our friends, and yet better to be un-popular than a blockhead.
God give us the strength and conviction to follow You, despite those crowding around us!
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7 comments:
Amen, very true! :)
Very true!
I disagree. Individuals are often times more 'blockheaded' then the crowd.
Opinions are not formed by the crowd, but by the individuals that make them up.
Heres another way to look at this.
The cord of three strands is not easly broken. Individuals united together are far stronger then a lone individual.
Palm boy,
I think the main point of Baruch's quote (and my post) was that when in the company of the wrong people, we become blockheads. Of course when we are surrounded by brothers and sisters in Christ we are much stronger and able to do things we would otherwise be afraid to do alone... but unforunately, this is not the case in much of our culture. We are surrounded by secularism, liberalism, and I think there are a lot of teens out there who fall into the "blockhead" category!
But when I think of being surrounded by peers who are, let's say, mocking something I should be standing up for, it's going to be a lot harder for me to stand up for it than if I had been alone.
Yes, let's just pray that we keep company with the right crowd, and also that we have strength to do what is right when we happen to face the wrong crowd.
Ok, that works for me. Just be careful who your with though. :D
Shamus
Was searching for anything on following the crowd to teach my Wed. night middle school youth. I love your point and will share it with my kids. Stay strong!!!
I was looking for "following the crowd" examples to go with our "obedience" lesson from Jeremiah 35. Where the Rechabites would not drink wine... because this is what their forefather had commanded them. But Judah would not follow God's commands.
I agree with your wisdom and discernment on this topic. Most of the time, people think that if everyone is doing it, than it can Not be that wrong.
In examples from the Bible (David, Gideon, Ruth, Esther, and so on), those God used were Not in the majority. I believe, that shows us that we are to stand alone when necessary, but it is also good to have those who would encourage us to stay strong in our standing for God.
We as teachers, parents, and role models need to teach our children and those new in Christ how to stand with Christ, even when noone else will!
Thank you for your words of encouragement and being willing to stand for what you believe.
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