Refuse to Conform, Defy the Crowd

Reverend Leo H. McCrary II

If you’re going to join in with anything or anyone, why not join in and follow Christ and where He will lead you?

Today’s devotional reading: Leviticus 18:1-5

Don’t join in with the crowd. I don’t know about all of you, but I used to hear that all the time growing up, whether from my parents or teachers. I can recall often hearing that if ‘your best friend jumped from a high point, would you do it too?’ Ultimately, the lesson always taught the point that one should do what was right, rather than give in to peer pressure or what was ‘popular’ to do.

Living in obedience to God’s instructions is not seen as the popular thing to do. In fact, some say they can’t be a child of God because God forbids one from doing this thing or that thing, which to them is seen as a fun thing to do.

Ask yourself, which is better: The joy the world gives or the joy that God gives? The “joy” the world gives isn’t truly joy, as worldly joy is here today and gone tomorrow. In his Ecclesiastes, Solomon remarked that one who tries to live off the joy of the world would be doing something that is like trying to grasp the wind. He found the work done under the sun to be distressing, rather than pleasing and joyful (Eccl. 2:17). Many devote several hours to gathering up enough money just to vacation for a few days, or to purchase happiness that, over time, will need to be replaced by something else.

Now, I don’t say those things to belittle anyone’s labor. However, I will suggest that if you are going to devote time and effort to anything, make sure it is something that is eternal. If you desire an eternal reward, all God calls for is obedience to His instructions, rather than conformity to the temporary. Don’t join in with the crowd for immediate happiness; walk with God for everlasting happiness.