CONSENSUS DOES NOT ALWAYS MEAN CORRECTNESS

CONSENSUS DOES NOT ALWAYS MEAN CORRECTNESS!

Ex 23:2

2 Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:

           Everyone is doing it! That is a common complaint when parents try to restrict a favorite – but wrong – action of a child or teen. The argument seems air tight. So many agree that it tends to make the action right but it is not always so. Consensus is not a standard. It’s an opinion.

           Our culture is in the mess it is in precisely because so many loudly proclaim that they are right and that right is now wrong! If we are not careful to confer with God and gain His opinion, we might actually be swayed by the majority opinion. A closer look at the original words in our text might help.

           The word “follow” is the word ‘achar which actually means “the hind part.” We might, tongue in cheek, say that the scripture advises us not to be the hind part! Following a crowd does not require much thinking. Thinking has fallen out of popularity these days but I recommend it. Don’t be the hind part.

           Both the words “decline” and “wrest” are from a single word. The word natah means “to bend away (including moral deflection).” Moral decay is not caused by a snap away from right. It is a slow bending of perspective and opinion until a majority declares that right is wrong and wrong has now become the standard of the day. Don’t be the hind part!

Prov 1:10

10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

Dear Lord, so many are doing wrong that I often question my own position. Remind me to always check the mind of God and to agree with you. AMEN