According to Wikipedia, "group think" is as follows:

[Groupthink is a type of thought exhibited by group members who try to minimize conflict and reach consensus without critically testing, analyzing, and evaluating ideas. During Groupthink, members of the group avoid promoting viewpoints outside the comfort zone of consensus thinking. (consensus, general agreement, majority). A variety of motives for this may exist such as a desire to avoid being seen as foolish, or a desire to avoid embarrassing or angering other members of the group. Groupthink may cause groups to make hasty, irrational decisions, where individual doubts are set aside, for fear of upsetting the group's balance. The term is frequently used pejoratively, with hindsight.]

With the increased use of technologies in the past 50 years, we have seen an amazing homogenization of mankind. In recent years, we have been systematically programmed to conform to the imagined image of western civilization. The media has been the avenue by which masses of individuals have been convinced that they are all equal, that the focus has been diverted from the family unit to the accumulation of wealth (status symbols). By means of 'group think' standards in American society have been brought down to the lowest common denominator. It is coming to the point where if you don't conform, you are in danger of being labeled as a dissident, or a terrorist.

We may try to convince ourselves that this does not apply to us, if we are in a Church.

When you are gathered in the name of Christ, and He is not given control of the gathering, then in effect we are excluding HIM.

Nothing could be further from the truth!

Tolerance and compromise have been inserted into our thinking as a solution to the problems that face mankind. The church has lost its way, it has compromised with the world to the point of becoming just like the world. When this happens, we are no longer the church... because the church is the 'called out' ones. The church is those who are obedient to God's commandments, not those who adhere to the commandments of men. We have confused the two as being one and the same, when in reality they are directly opposed to one another. We cannot serve two masters. This is far from popular, but the Lord plainly told us this.

Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

If we buy into the 'group think' so prevalent today, then we are in effect denying Christ's commandments.

1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

If we are comfortable in this world, then we need to re-examine our right standing with God. If we have no qualms about compromising the Gospel of Christ in order to keep the peace or gain acceptance, then we need to search our hearts and determine if we are even part of God's household.

Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

If we are walking in the Spirit of God, then we are indeed going to be a peculiar people. We are not going to be comfortable with the status-quo, we are not going to be willing to compromise for any reason. We can fully expect to be rejected, reviled, cast out and ridiculed for our faith. Romans 8:8-9 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

More and more we are seeing separations taking place. More and more believers are finding themselves cut off from those they once fellowshipped with, distanced from family and former acquaintances, all because they will not compromise their faith. They will not conform to the prevailing group think of the day. Jesus said in Matthew 5:3-12...

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Have you succumbed to the pressures of this world? Are you willing to find a semblance of peace at any cost? Can you recognize what group think is when you are confronted with it?

Are you willing to walk in relationship with God, or do you desire to walk with man? Check our hearts people, the time is short...

Amen & Amen

Cathy Morris

March 14, 2008