"The naturalist J. Henry Fabre once conducted an experiment with pine processionary caterpillars. He set a group of them on the edge of a flower pot. They followed one another around the sterile rim for seven days without deviating, though a branch of pine, their favorite food, lay right beside the pot." - Illustrations From Nature
What about you? Are you like these caterpillars? Have you been faithfully following a course ordained by man for your life? Who is leading you? Which crowd are you following? Is this God's direction for you?
We can certainly get sidetracked and distracted in our walk with the Lord. Before we know it, we find ourselves "out in left field" and wonder how in the world we ended up in such a mess.
For one thing, we may have followed the crowd - the wrong crowd. Or we may have simply pursued the path which everyone else was following instead of specifically seeking the Lord for His Will on the matter.
Even if the whole world or the entire Church is doing something or going in a certain direction(granted it is a righteous path) , it doesn't mean that we are to follow.
Isaiah 8 - A similar situation happened to the Prophet Isaiah. King Ahaz and the people of Israel were plagued by many fears because of the surrounding Assyrians. Due to their total unbelief and distrust of God, they planned to make peace with the king of Assyria on any terms.
Isaiah 8:11-13 - God abruptly and sternly addressed His Prophet - "For the LORD spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the LORD of hosts Himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread."
As Christians, we must be very careful that we do not enter into the fears, for example, of those among whom we work, live, or fellowship. We are not to say as they say and do as they do. Their hearts may be filled with gross unbelief and their minds led by carnal reasonings. The Lord God is our One and Only Fear. He is our Dread. We do not fear the things that worldly people fear.
The Name of Jesus is above all other names. We recognize that. We have been given authority to use that Precious and Wonderful Name and demons, evil spirits, sickness, disease, pain, poverty, depression, hindrances, bondages, and even death itself have to obey.
Psalm 1:1 - The Word of God declares - "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful."
It cannot get any clearer than that. God is definitely instructing us - as Christians - that we are not to follow in the ways of the heathen.
We are not to -
...frame our lives according to their manners, principles, or plans
...follow any advice of theirs that is contrary to the Bible
..."hang out" with "sinners" - those who are transgressors of God's law
...go where they go and desire to be with them in their sinful frivolities and amusements
...associate with the mockers and scoffers of Christianity and holiness who are hardened in their sin and hold God and His Holy Word in contempt and disdain.
Witness to them in passing - Yes! Become "best buds" with them - No!
Why should we keep our distance from them?
Why does God admonish us in Proverbs 4:14-15 to - "Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away"?
This question can be answered in one word - enticement!
Sinners generally do not threaten or argue with us in order to get us to sin or fall from our steadfastness. They just simply entice us. Using flattery and fair speech, they seduce us and draw us from the path of righteousness to the path of the destroyer on which they are traveling. We then become like the pine processionary caterpillar in following the crowd to our total ruin!
Proverbs 1:10 - Solomon strongly commanded us with these inspired words - "My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not."
In other words, we are not to follow the crowd...do as everybody else is doing...nor think, talk, walk, dress, etc. like everyone else - unless it meets with God's approval.
Wicked people are very industrious. They love company in their sin. They are not happy unless they see someone else erring with them.
We are not smart or strong enough to withstand their "honeyed words" or flattery. This is a weakness in all of us. Satan knows that our flesh loves to have our egos stroked at times - even if it comes from a sinner.
Look what the devil did to the young man mentioned in Proverbs 7:21. The adulteress "caused him to yield" and "forced him" through her "much fair speech" and "the flattering of her lips." What a fool he was! He couldn't stop his ears to this seductive charmer. He thought that he was only being led to a night of great pleasure! Little did he realize that - by her flattery and falsehoods - she was leading him down the path to Hell.
O Christian, do you consider yourself above the "fair speech" and flatteries of the wicked?
Let take a good look at God's Man of Power for the hour - Samson! What a mighty Man of God he was! Because of his Nazarite vow to the Lord, he exhibited such supernatural strength against the enemies of God. Yet, his physical strength could not withstand the "sweet talk" and enticements of the seductress Delilah.
We can almost hear the Holy Ghost screaming out at Samson in the background - "My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not."
"If sinners entice thee..." - Delilah did not coerce Samson. She didn't argue with him nor threaten him. She enticed him, and resultantly, was able to bring this mighty Man of God down.
There was one Man of God whom the adulteress was not able to seduce. Oh! She tried day after day, but failed each time. Her enticements could not crack through the Fear of God that saturated him. His name was Joseph! He knew his bounds in his Master's house, and he knew his bounds in God's kingdom. He knew that everything that he said and did was recorded by a Holy God - to Whom some day He would give an account.
Although Joseph lived in Egypt among all the wickedness, he never allowed Egypt to reside in his heart. He didn't follow the crowd - saying what everybody in Egypt was saying and doing what everybody in Egypt was doing. Consequently, he was able to withstand the enticements and seductions of the enemy when they came.
Psalm 50:18 - Sad to say, many today are wearing a cloke of Christianity - while consenting with thieves and being "partakers with adulterers." Instead of rebuking and exposing any wrongdoing, they just simply step in line and follow the crowd down the Broad Road to Hell.
O Christian, God is calling for a separation! We are not called to be like the pine processionary caterpillars. We are not to follow the Pied Piper - Satan - all the way to Hell.
We hear the "beat of a different drummer."
May we realize that in stepping aside from the crowd and taking a stand for righteousness - like Joseph did - is the only way that we will be able to withstand the enticements and seductions of the sinner when they come.
They will come. Get ready for them.
Satan is waiting for an opportune moment to strike.
Be sure that you are separated unto God.
Get out of the world's line and walk alone if you have to.
Follow Jesus no matter what the cost.
Exodus 23:2 commands- "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil..."
Copyright 2005 by Connie Giordano
