Monday, April 14, 2025

The Bondage of Herd Mentality

"Herd Mentality", are those who are trapped in the fear of losing the love of others. Their need to be liked dibilitates them.
 
Living under the expectations of others is bondage as much as if their ankle were tethered to hitching rings used for horses.
 
The need for approval from others keeps people enslaved to the dictates of those they wish to impress.

It is strength when we have no need to convince others to think like us. Those who cannot love others who don't think like them are very weak and barely able to stand alone, they must have allies to keep from falling over like a scarecrow without a pole to hold it up.
 
Those who join cults are of this sort, they isolate themselves to make sure they always have people around who will fawn over their every word and follow them like baby chicks crossing a road with their mother.
 
Often those who think for themselves will be ridiculed, dismissed, and excluded for their separateness from the rest of the culture.
 
2 Corinthians 6:17
"17 Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord. “And do not touch what is unclean;
And I will welcome you."

Those who are a part of the cult will be so intimidated by the one who thinks with the mind of Christ that they will gossip to others hoping to gain supporters for themselves with an even greater hope that others will follow them in the rejection of the free thinker.
 
The cult is tethered to one another unable to grow in wisdom for their continual striving to be like one another. I have met many of these people in my life and one thing that stands out is the conspicuous lack of individual personality of each member. The personality God gave them has been replaced by the expectations of all the other members.
 
Those who must surround themselves with others who validate their rebellion believe the free-thinkers in Christ will feel spurned leading them into anxiety and depression. The cult followers believe this because if it were happening to them they would be depressed and full of fear. But this is not the case for the one who follows Christ. We are content and joyful walking alone on the narrow road, completely joyful and content.
 
Philippians 4:11-13
"11 Not that I speak from need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
12 I know how to get along with little, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."

When we meet another Christ-follower our joy is increased, we do not need them all the time because Christ in them is also in us and we know that one day we will be reunited again. We are satisfied for the Lord to bring them alongside from time to time as we edify and encourage one another on our path. We walk the same path, just not everyone is in the same place on the road.
 
Romans 12:10 "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor."

Our brethren are in our hearts all the time even when we are not with them in body.
 
Ephesians 4:2 "With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,"

Galatians 5:1: "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."

The greatest test of our faith is when we have to walk alone for a time trusting only in Christ, our joy excels because He is the One we trust every moment.
 
When Christ is in us we are never alone and we are connected Spiritually with every other follower of Christ.

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