Popular Agenda?

Are right and wrong convertible terms, dependent upon popular opinion? (William Lloyd Garrison)

I came across this question today and wondered if you have ever pondered just how 'right' or 'wrong' our society is today. It seems that many are swayed by popular opinion - sometimes choosing to forsake previously held beliefs that had been foundational within their families for decades. As the 'tide' of popular opinion swells, it seems that there are many carried away with that tide. The clear distinctions between right and wrong get blurrier and blurrier with each movement of the tide. At some point, we might just realize that we need to do a complete RESET of our 'beliefs' because they are no longer based upon TRUTH, but upon opinion.

Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor? ...Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. (James 4:11-12, 17)

The scripture is clear - if we know what is right, we are to do it. If we don't know - then it is time to get back to TRUTH so we can 'reset' the boundaries within which we will set our course once again. Truth is the only thing that matters - opinion is not important. Whenever we allow opinion to guide our thoughts, our actions are sure to fall below the standards laid out in God's Word. Keep his Words front and center in your life and your 'opinions' will no longer be swayed by the popular vote! 

A few weeks back, our pastor shared a brief two-week series on how to study the Bible. It was very practical, and I would like to challenge us to consider how much it could change our own lives if we were to embrace just one simple practice he presented. He challenged us to get into the Word - not by using one particular method, but by finding the one that works for us. Find a translation that makes sense to us - because if we don't understand it, we won't want to read it. Find a time to get into the Word - because if we aren't purposeful in making the time each day, we will squander it away.

One of the helpful tips he gave is this - use what helps you get into the Word daily. In other words, if it is a 'bible study' booklet, use it. If it is an online daily devotional, so be it. If you want to study a topic, set out to study it. If you are drawn to use a specific outline format, adopt it. The important thing is to just get the Word into your life. The more you do, the less you are deceived by 'popular opinion'. You will know the truth, it will guide your actions, and you will live free of the quandary of 'right' vs. 'wrong' that seems to be inherent in so much of the 'popular agenda' right now. Just sayin!