The Lonely Road

Often times, we justify our actions based on what those around us in the world are doing.  For example, wearing clothes which meet society’s definition of fashion, but which leaves nothing to the imagination of those around us.  Or, maybe it is watching a movie that society says is entertaining, but is filled with things that devalue our spouse or future marriage partner, or are inappropriate for any Christian to view.  Many think if the “majority” is doing or watching it, it can’t be that bad. The majority has been wrong so often, that it is hard to believe any rational thinking person would take comfort in what view the majority holds.  Siding with the majority is often time just laziness. It is often easier to accept the group’s approval of what already has been decided, than to research, pray, seek wise counsel, and then make a decision based on the scriptures. Other times, siding with the majority is due to the fact that the person is ignorant to what the Bible teaches on the matter in question.  Sometimes, it is simply peer pressure and not wanting to walk the lonely road.
 
Society has normalized inappropriate speech, and therefore many have become accustomed to using it.  Examples would be euphemisms such as “darn ‘it” or “OMG”.  Yet, if we don’t speak and act different than the world, how will they know we are different? Unfortunately, inappropriate speech is only one area where Christians have followed the way of the world.  The majority of our society has approved of things such as abortion, fornication, divorce without Biblical reason, drunkenness and all other sorts of evil behavior, therefore many think it must be right about those things. 
 
Often, there remains an unchallenged belief that if most say it is OK, then it must be OK.  An additional problem is that our Post-modernistic society discouracges condemnation of another’s behavior, no matter how bad it may be.  However, the minority that often knows the truth is not the majority on these matters of “what is or is not acceptable”.  We must also admit that being the minority does not make one correct.  There are many groups in the minority which teach false religious doctrine or hold extreme views which contradict the scriptures.  Therefore, we must not ask if the question at hand is a majority opinion or minority opinion, but rather an issue which the Bible addresses.  We must have the courage to swim against the stream and uphold the truth regardless of how many support it. However, be ready, standing for the truth can be a lonely road to walk.