This statement has been used numerous times by children who are attempting to justify doing something to which their parents strongly object. The parents often answer by saying, “if everybody jumped off a building, does that mean you should jump off too?” Imitating the majority can be both sad and tragic at the same time. Consider the following Bible examples.

Noah built an ark, but did the majority enter that vessel and live through the flood? No. Only a very small number (eight souls) chose to follow God’s instructions (1 Peter 3:20). The majority paid dearly for staying with the crowd—they lost their precious souls and their lives in the great flood (Gen. 7). Lesson learned: don’t follow the majority.

Did the majority leave the sin filled cities of Sodom and Gomorrah before God rained fire and brimstone upon them (Gen. 19)? No. Only three souls—Lot and his two daughters were delivered from the mass destruction. His wife even lost her life because she did not obey God’s instructions. Another instance where we learn: the majority was terribly wrong.

God’s orders to the children of Israel were for them to enter the promise land and possess it. Twelve spies were sent into the land to bring back a report (Numbers 13). Ten of the spies said it was not possible to take the land because the people living there were too strong. Two spies encouraged the people to go in and possess the land immediately (Joshua & Caleb) and with God’s help they would succeed. Of those twelve men, only two made it into the promise land—Joshua and Caleb. The others all died (along with 600 thousand other men) in the wilderness. Again we learn do not follow the majority.

Jesus spoke of two gates and two ways—the broad and narrow (Matt. 7:13-14). He said that the narrow way was the right way, but He added that only a few would travel its path. He also said that the majority would choose to take the broad way, which, unfortunately leads to eternal destruction. According to the Son of God the majority is not a good standard to follow.

Everybody else in religion may be using instruments of music in worship, but that does not mean it is acceptable to God (Eph. 5:19 we are told to sing). Everybody else in religion may be saying the “sinner’s prayer,” but that does not make it God’s authorized plan of salvation (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38). Everybody else in religion may be letting women preach to the men, but the Bible says that women are not to do this (1 Tim. 2:11-15). Everybody else may be clapping their hands, shouting, jumping around, and putting on a show, but that does mean that God wants you to do the same. Just look at the Biblical record—the majority has been wrong on many occasions.

The Bible determines what is right and wrong in life and in religion. In matters pertaining to salvation and worship we must turn to the New Testament which is the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2). So often the majority turns to the Old Testament to justify something they want to do in worship today. The Old Testament contains the wrong law—the God of heaven wants us to listen to His Son, not Moses (Matt. 17:1-5). The words of Jesus will judge us in the last day not the law of Moses (John 12:48).

The majority in this world never has and never will follow God’s will. That may be shocking, but the Bible clearly verifies it. The majority will either ignore God’s word or claim to follow it when in reality, they are not. Forget about the majority—stay in the minority. Take the safe course— follow the Bible.

By

Richard  Massey