This is a very important topic because a person can be religious and still belong to the world. Most people follow the crowd and their local society, even when it is contrary to the truth, the Bible, and God’s will. People often have a strong drive to follow others instead of following truth.
We saw this in Noah’s day, when most people followed the scientists of the time who said there would be no flood. In Jesus’ day, most people followed the Pharisees, the political and religious leaders, who said Jesus could not be the Son of God. During the Dark Ages, many followed the papacy and the Inquisition. Even then, people preferred to stay with the crowd rather than leave a corrupt system.
Most people care little for truth because society is not built to follow truth, but to follow leaders. Like animals that follow the herd, people often follow the majority even when it leads to destruction. Human beings can even follow the crowd to eternal ruin rather than stand with a small minority that is right.
Jesus made human beings with freedom so they could live in truth, love God, and love others. But the Jesus of the Bible is often very different from the Jesus many people worship today. The only true Jesus is the Jesus revealed in Scripture.
If truth matters to someone, they will follow truth instead of the crowd. The Bible gives many examples of people suffering because they wanted to be like everyone else. Israel wanted to be like other nations and asked for a king. God was displeased because they had rejected Him. Later, when Israel worshiped pagan gods, they again wanted to look like the nations around them.
Jesus was different. He is the truth. He told people to give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. If you follow the crowd, people may not like you. But the real question is whether you want to please God or men. We often follow the majority because we can see human approval, but we cannot see God’s disapproval. That is why so many choose people over truth.
“Friendship with the world is enmity with God.” That is a serious warning.
Truth Above Opinion
Most people go by majority opinion or by their own reasoning powers, as if human beings could always be trusted. But the human mind is corrupt, so God gave us the Bible to show us truth. When Adam and Eve were created, there was no fall, and human beings did not need a Bible in the same way they do now. After sin entered, God had to give His Word so people could know what truth is.
Long before that, even in heaven, a terrible example of following the wrong side took place. Satan deceived many angels. Some did not understand the issue clearly and joined him because he was so beloved and persuasive. Pride was the root of evil. Satan wanted the first place, and jealousy entered his heart.
Each time you are humbled, thank God. Humility protects you from pride. Pride is one of the main reasons people fall away from truth.
“Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil.” That is exactly what many people refuse to do today. The prince of this world is Satan, and society often reflects his spirit. If you love what is fashionable and cool, you may be following the wrong master.
A Corrupt Society
Jesus did not build His ministry around endless policies and ceremonies. He called people to follow Him. He did not require contracts, tests, or complicated systems before people could come near Him. Today’s society is filled with suspicion and control, and that is not the mind of Jesus.
“Thinketh no evil.” That is a direct contrast to the suspicious spirit of the world. When people constantly look for evil in others, they are not thinking like Christ. Jesus welcomed people as they were. Of course, if someone is clearly dangerous, wisdom is needed. But paranoia, mistrust, and judgment without proof are not Christian.
Evil thinking often comes from pride. A person may appear moral and good to the world, but if they think of themselves as better than others, the Bible calls that evil. The Pharisees thought they were righteous, yet Jesus rebuked them sharply. Only God knows the heart.
Jesus came to give life more abundantly. He came to bring joy, peace, friendship, and hope. A society where everyone judges and condemns others becomes cold and unhappy. Instead of making life harder with rules and human standards, we should be people who make life easier for others.
Follow Jesus
Jesus called His disciples with a simple invitation: “Follow Me.” He did not make them sign contracts or pass through a long approval process. He did not create a hierarchy of worthiness. He welcomed people, taught them, and called them to truth.
Noah did not require people to show financial records before entering the ark. Moses did not make the Israelites prove themselves by human standards before leaving Egypt. God’s work has always been based on faith, truth, and obedience—not on human systems that mimic the world.
This world is far from Jesus and far from the Bible. But we still have a choice. Will we follow the crowd, or will we follow truth?
Father, forgive our sins, give us Your righteousness, and help us follow the truth. In the name of Jesus, amen.