“Form your own opinions.”

A thought by Craig Groeschel (2015-10-27) from his book, #Struggles: Following Jesus in a Selfie-Centered World (p. 215). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

When we are online there is so much there that can influence the way we think. Craig says, “When you follow other people online, you can learn a lot of wisdom from those who are wise. Unfortunately, not only are some people not wise, they can be downright foolish.”

He goes on, “Proverbs 15: 2 says, ‘The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.’ I love the way the New Living Translation translates the last part of this verse. It says, ‘the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.’ Chances are you’ve seen this type of person let loose online.”

There is a lot online that I will not follow. I won’t even read it.

Then he says, “Jesus instructs us to stay on the narrow road, warning that the broad or wide road leads to destruction (see Matt. 7: 13– 14). Sometimes it seems as if everyone is going the same way, but that doesn’t mean they are going the right way. Often on social media, many people jump on the bandwagons of opinions about God, politics, or the latest celebrity scandal. But just because a lot of people believe something doesn’t make it true. Especially when it comes to what people post online.”

He goes on, “It may be tempting to follow the crowd, but doing so can be dangerous. Exodus 23: 2 says, ‘Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong.’ God gave you a brain to think for yourself. He gave you his Word to seek his will. He gave you his Spirit to guide you into all truth (see John 16: 13). Instead of believing everything you see or hear, think for yourself.”

He finishes this section by saying, “Resist the urge to blend in. Don’t be a sheep and follow the herd. Follow the Shepherd.”

So how much time do you spend reading His Word?

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