My favourite poet, Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936), wrote:
"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe.
To be your own man is hard business.
If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself."
To become too entangled or submersed into a group may well lead to a lack of clear judgment on issues, doctrines and such like. It thus means impaired vision and not thinking through issues properly. Allowing one to go from one extreme of submersing oneself into the mass group on the one hand and becoming independent on the other (unless unjustly forced into such a position) does not assist in honing the skills of righteous judgment (see John 5:30; 7:24).
Some, through a sort of self deception, or a ‘love blinds’ emotional reaction, will always ‘talk up’ a situation. An example may be stating that Church of God members today are stronger and more stirdy than those within the old WCG. Unbeknown to those that advocate such positions, this is a sleight on those that endured much in those days, including members now deceased. They endured bad bosses (today the workforce is more flexible), oppression, undertook serious Bible study, talked about God's Word and so on.
The facts speak for themselves:
-Many of the hard fought for doctrines have been abandoned (Titus 1:9; 2:1,7)
-The younger generation, in the main, do not believe in so much or understand what they do know
-Pro rata, there is much less fellowship (Matt 24:12)
-Pro rata, there is much more cliquishness
-There is certainly much less Bible talk – instead talk on piffle dominates, even after Church services
-To make matters worse, when many do mention or discuss God’s Word, it is in a flippant manner. Or so shallow that it is beyond belief
-Slander is much more openly used to attack members than ever before (which is a sign of the times - 2Tim 3:1-7). Constant prickliness to try and 'get under their skins' is an old and tired weapon used for years
-The rich are much more influential nowadays and get their way as they forge political alliances and attempt to influence or gain positions. They entertain those in power and abandon or despise the lowly (Ps 49:16-20; Prov 14:20; 10:15; 13:7; 18:11; 28:11; Matt 13:22; Mark 10:23)
-An unrepresentative rowdy minority holding sway over the conservative majority
So how on earth people are stronger, I fail to see. See Hos 12:8.
Jesus Christ and, more recently, Herbert W Armstrong, set the above example of not permitting themselves to be overwhelmed by the group. And in 1833, Justice Joseph Story (1779-1845), US Supreme Court Justice, wrote:
"Republics [the principle applies to organisations as a whole] are created [or sustained] by the virtue, public spirit, and intelligence of the citizens.
They fall, when the wise are banished from the public councils, because they dare to be honest, and the profligate are rewarded, because they flatter the people [or ministry], in order to betray them."
Similarly Albert Einstein warned:
“Great spirits have always met with violent opposition from mediocre minds.”
And to survive, according to Sun Tzu, famous Chinese general and military strategist of the 6th century BC:
"He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot will be victorious."
Has anything changed?
So, dare we study the Bible, seeking God’s will and His truths? For it is a Biblical principle that we dig deep into issues. As the scriptures say:
“It is the glory of God to conceal a matter but the glory of kings is to search out a matter. As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.” (Prov 25:2) [are not Christians kings in the making?]
Similarly, in Proverbs chapter we are instructed to search out God’s treasures:
“My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you,
So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding;
Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding,
If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures;
Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God.
For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly;
He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints.
Then you will understand righteousness and justice, Equity and every good path.
When wisdom enters your heart, And knowledge is pleasant to your soul,
Discretion will preserve you; Understanding will keep you,
To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things.” (Prov 2:1-12)
Now notice some applicable words by Sun Tzu:
"All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved." [ie there are secrets to success]
"Now the reason the enlightened prince and the wise general conquer the enemy whenever they move and their achievements surpass those of ordinary men is foreknowledge."
"The general [read Church member] who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country [read Church] and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom."
Wise words indeed. Christians are fighting a spiritual battle to inherit the kingdom. They are kings in the making – therefore let all of us take on the characteristic outlined in Prov 25:2. Eschew jealousy and the spirit of competition. Instead, unleash the Godly energies within you – demonstrate the spiritual gifts and natural talents God has given you. In other words allow the zeal within you to pour forth.
Do not allow jealous flesh and blood to suppress God’s will for you.
