No Groupthink for God

Groupthink is a dangerous phenomenon.  It occurs most profoundly in teenagers who, because their ability to think critically and rationally remains still undeveloped, are susceptible to behaving in odd if not outright hazardous ways.  The pressure of the peer is overwhelming to the individual and they will succumb to the whims of the group, despite the inherent danger, legal ramifications, or sheer stupidity of the specific act espoused.

Say in the case of a gang of boys: the group may head to a river bridge and after some aimless loitering they will collectively decide that between the herd of thought, the best idea available would be to jump off said bridge.  Perhaps some gentle prodding may be required to garner all of the groups' allegiance to the ploy, but before long each boy jumps from the bridge into the river below only to discover that the river is far-too shallow for such a leap and two of the boys become seriously injured in the foray.

While this may be a common example of the kind of groupthink that dominates many teenagers and young adults, it seems even more dangerous when portrayed in adulthood.  This concept of groupthink can be seen at any age and can be caused by a number of factors.  Perhaps the most prevalent in our society are voyeurism, immorality, covetousness, greed, rampant secularism, and numerous other forms of idolatry.  And, unlike the aforementioned bridge-jumping example, these swaths of groupthink can have disastrously eternal consequences.

The apostle Paul speaks of this danger in 1 Cor. 15:33, "Bad company corrupts good morals."  Paul is speaking of the possibility of cancerous activity or deceit that can spread infectious sin in a community and destroy even believers; a little bad leaven ruining the whole lump of good dough (1 Cor. 5:6).  In a real sense, those around us who we choose to invest in and to be apart of our lives can either be sources of growth and encouragement or weights that hold us back from our potential in Him.

This is why we should not be unequally yoked with unbelievers (2 Cor. 6:14-18).  Believers should take this seriously.  It is not as though we completely sever relationships with unbelievers, rather, we should be discerning and guarded about who we allow to influence us.  If they are evil or sinful influences, then we need to remove ourselves from their radius of influence so as to be the most effective in preaching to them the Gospel.  However, if it is clear that no area is outside of a person's blast area, then severing ties may be the correct solution.

Paul is clear, "do not be partners with them (Eph. 5:1:14)."  We are, first, accountable to be godly and obedient to the Holy Lord and, second, responsible to relate to other humans.  If at any point other humans are hindering our devotion or drawing us away from God, we are already committing idolatry and must repent so as to turn utterly towards God.  Then we will be in a far better state to help or to encourage the other person(s).  Let us then take heed the Word of God and not fall pray to the dangerous whims of groupthink towards the Lord!