Going Along with the Crowd
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton
Now, think about the argument: "Everybody's doing it!" Why would a sheep put itself in danger by jumping? Why do people get involved in destructive behaviors?
Attacking the Weaker
"You shall not follow the masses in doing evil" (Exodus 23:2). When someone looks to be unpopular, it is common to see people gang up against him. You see this at Jesus' trial. He was wildly popular earlier in the week, but as he stood before Pilate, beaten and abused, the crowd cried out for his death. Why? Because people believe they are stronger and better when they take out someone they see as weaker.
Following Everyone Else
It takes less effort to just follow the route everyone else is taking. You just assume the person before you knows what he is doing. Yet, Jesus warns, "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it" (Matthew 7:13). This is how many pick the churches they attend. Bigger is assumed to be better.
Not Seeing the Outcome
Solomon warns of gangs enticing a youth to join their number: "My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. If they say, 'Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause; let us swallow them alive like Sheol, even whole, as those who go down to the pit; we will find all kinds of precious wealth, we will fill our houses with spoil; throw in your lot with us, we shall all have one purse,' my son, do not walk in the way with them. Keep your feet from their path" (Proverbs 1:10-15). Why would anyone follow a gang? Because, in their haste, they fail to see the ultimate outcome. They don't see the trap that will lead to their deaths because the problems are not immediately apparent. "The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know over what they stumble" (Proverbs 4:19).
Wanting to be Accepted
The desire to be popular, liked, or successful often leads people to compromise and conform to the crowd. Thus, gang members follow the leader's will to gain praise and appreciation. When people are members of a group, most will comply with the group's beliefs. Compliance is greater if the group is seen as critical to one's self-esteem and worth.
The Pharisees attacked Jesus because they were more concerned about how others saw them. "You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight" (Luke 16:14-15). This is why some believers in Jesus did not speak up in his defense. "Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God" (John 12:42-43).
Non-Conformists
We are not to tear down the weak but to build them up. "Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification" (Romans 15:1-2).
Christians are called to take the path less traveled. Our focus is on doing what is right. "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matthew 7:14). We stand out because we are different. "Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain" (Philippians 2:14-16).
We are not a part of the crowd. "If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you" (John 15:19). We don't love the world's things. "Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (I John 2:15).
Some of the sheep in Turkey didn't jump over the cliff. They didn't follow the crowd. What will you choose to do?
