“Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment” (Exodus 23:2)
Like a surging, powerful river, crowds can be dangerous. How easy it is to be swept up into popular enthusiasm. But the majority view of the moment is rarely right in hindsight. Many an innocent man has been lynched.
We must be careful in the conclusions we come to. God’s thoughts are higher than man’s thoughts. The popular opinions of the day are far beneath the wisdom from above. Woe unto those that mistake the heat of their own spirit for the mind of God’s Spirit; who speak presumptuously when the Lord has not spoken; who run when the Lord waits to arise.
The fast rushing waters of zealotry have taken many over a precipice. “Even zeal is not good without knowledge, and the one who acts hastily sins.” (Prov. 19:2)
The Lord of hosts is to go before us into battle. We have one Commander in chief. We are to heed His marching orders, not that of any man, or group of men. Not every river is going in the right direction. If you’re hearing from God, prepare to go against the flow.