For the Spanish version of this post, click here. 

“Follow me!”

Have you noticed the countless self-proclaimed experts who have hundreds, thousands and millions of followers on social media? Entities like Twitter, YouTube, Linkedin and others receive money for each click from these followers, which perpetuates a fabulous competition for proselytes.

Everyone has something to say or a particular product to promote.

The truth is that the huge electronic market offers everything it can to tempt the public.

And it is easy, as well as addictive, to squander countless hours browsing the Internet, without much thought.

Someone said “If lunatics could fly, it would be cloudy all the time,” in other words, many are the people that are misinformed and without the desire to use their thinking abilities, who conform to a simplistic life, and are subject to the merchants of ideas, looking to amass their fortunes at the expense of these simpletons, wandering aimlessly without finding the straight and narrow path.

I’m not saying that we are opposed to technological advances and the amenities offered by the use of technology. Without a doubt there are interesting things and issues that need to be considered for our daily living, but not everything is good and not everything is good for us.

This is what the Bible calls “discerning”, i.e., the correct use of our mental faculties.

Due to this lack of knowledge and insight society in general finds itself in a state of anarchy, which is nothing new.

Due to this lack of knowledge and discernment people get into trouble, nations become enemies and declare war on each other. The masses (people) are used by the vested interests that manage and manipulate popular decisions, and then say: “the people have spoken.”

Biblical examples abound, starting from the Tower of Babel, the corrupt governments of the kings, abusive traders and merchants in both the old and the New Testament, the religious who incited the crowds to demand that Christ be crucified. What about religious fanaticism and secular examples that until today have continued with an extremist and polarizing vision that divides people and gives the profits to those who manage the economy.

Whom do we follow?

The sad thing is that many people don’t think and discern for themselves, but seek someone to tell them what to do in specific cases. For this reason fortune-tellers and soothsayers make a lucrative living off of those who have not learned to discern.

Proverbs 14:15 states “that the simple believe what is said, the cautious discerns his own steps” (JB). The interesting thing is that we were created with the ability to think, reason, and discern the challenges that life presents us. Notwithstanding, most of the time, we consult with people who have other interests and opinions, rather than seeking the advice of the word of God and the support of the community of faith.

The truth is that, even though many deny it, we are followers of someone.

The stark reality is that by following our own path, sin has led us away from God and we need to return to our Creator.

Another irrefutable truth, is that there is only one way to God. We need to follow someone who knows the way; our security is found in following the One who came from eternity to point the way by tenderly saying, follow me! (Matt. 9:9; John 1:43).

There is no uncertainty in following Jesus… and you, who are you following?

Image: http://harvardaidsprp.org/