Most likely you have used the following phrase before: “There is strength in numbers.” Or, at least, you may have heard it from someone else.
It is an idiomatic expression that is used to say that a group of people has more influence or power than an individual.
There is strength in numbers.
Community leaders use it!
Salespeople believe it. And politicians rely on this phrase more than accountants do.
To a certain degree, it’s quite logical!
However, does more power or influence always mean correctness or truth?
The phrase almost seems natural — without much thought, of course. We all tend to appeal to numbers at times. I’m doing it right now – you might have just noticed that! But consider this:
So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. — Revelation 12:9 NKJV
Ok. But that verse has nothing to do with the maxim that there is strength in numbers? Trust me. I’m not digressing.
Also, Jesus speaking to some proud people in His audience, said…
You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. — John 8:44 NKJV
Do you think it is a far-fetched idea that a multitude of intelligent beings would completely believe a lie?
No. It has already happened in heaven and, no doubt, has been repeated here on earth countless times.
Why do you think that a third of the angels in heaven believed the lie Lucifer told? Isn’t it possible that most of our world could believe the lies of Satan today?
One would imagine that the experienced devil and his helpers find it easier to work on “sinfected” humans than angels.
Would the “father of lies” stop his evil and start behaving himself? How do you know that you have not believed a lie? Even though someone may say, “the Bible says” or “God said”; can you be sure that a particular idea or message is true?
When it comes to eternal issues, should I rely on the idea that there’s strength in numbers? Does the fact that “most people do it” or “we have always believed it” make it right? Does it matter?
Jesus said, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” — John 8:32 NKJV
He also prayed, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” —John 17:17 NKJV
So, let us NOT simply rely on the strength in numbers. Let us live by the Word of God.
