“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:” -Matthew 7:13.
Christians are exposed to numerous corrupting influences in these Last Days, such as false prophets (Matthew 24:24) and teachers (2 Peter 2:1-3), or even the influence bad company has on those nearby; yet another more subtle deception incorporates both of these, which I call the Bandwagon Effect; a circumstance that can happen when a person or group gains popularity to the point where all men accept and speak well of them, with a type of collective favoritism towards them that overtakes others unintentionally.
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” -Psalm 1:1.
“Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” -Luke 6:26.
“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” -1 Corinthians 15:33.
And so this is the Bandwagon Effect; peer influence upon behavior or beliefs is enormous, and we need far greater knowledge of God’s Word to fight this evil.
Scripture seems to affirm this principle, for we see how things were with the nation of Israel in the Old Testament; whenever they had a Godly King, the people at least generally went along with Him; yet most of their leaders were evil, and the people would also do like them; and this was the prevailing condition.
The Bible reflects this overall process, where we read;
“The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.” -Psalm 12:8.
If you’ve wondered how our own nation came to this place of violence and gross immorality, consider the many vile men & women we’ve promoted in politics, Hollywood, and business leadership, and you’ll see the truth of this Bible principle; it’s a time when the transgressors have come to the full (Daniel 8:23).
But the Bandwagon Effect also shows within the body of Christ, and starts soon after the believers are saved; these new Christians adopt the values of the group they’re in, and some of these individuals become highly esteemed; successful men or women who say they are Christians, and are loved & accepted without deep scrutiny.
The late evangelist Billy Graham was a highly esteemed preacher who many would consider a great Christian example; yet the very fact of his popularity without contention indicates that he’d made serious compromises, and was yoked together with unbelief; he was unequally yoked together with other religions, political relations, and Hollywood connections. He shamelessly sought the friendship of the world, and by this became God’s enemy (James 4:4), subtly influencing millions of believers to follow his example. For more info on B.G, use our the link for the revealing Cathy Burns book, Billy Graham and his Friends. Most people like myself were on the Billy Graham “bandwagon;” respecting & accepting him unintentionally, due to superficial appearance.
“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” -2 Timothy 3:12.
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” -2 Corinthians 6:14.
Brethren, we need to carefully examine ourselves before God (2 Corinthians 13:5), to expose what or who we’ve been following. The only example we ought to have is JESUS CHRIST, every part of Him, through the light given in God’s Word (John 3:21). Jumping on the Bandwagon might seem to be a popular and natural thing to do as far as man is concerned, but the same can be said about the broad path of destruction that we need to escape; learn to discern through the study of God’s Word, with your spiritual “house” built safely upon this rock.
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” -Hebrews 4:12.
“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.” -Matthew 7:24,25.
Here is a link to a short YouTube video that I did on this subject, as well titled The Bandwagon Effect.
No comments:
Post a Comment