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Most of you know that I was born and raised in South Korea, a country that upholds “liberal democracy” and “liberal market economy” as its core national identity. Countries that have adopted liberal democracy and liberal market economy as part of their national identity are mostly advanced Western countries. Most of them are members of the OECD. These nations have explicitly or practically adopted these values through their constitutions, legal systems, national visions, and political institutions.
“Liberal” democracy is more than just majority rule; it includes the rule of law, separation of powers, and protection of fundamental rights. Liberal market economy refers to minimal state intervention in the economy, emphasizing economic freedom and competition. Some countries also include strong welfare systems, but the foundation is still market-based.
Anyhow, these countries follow the principle of majority rule. The principle of majority rule means that when a group of people needs to make a decision, they follow the opinion of the majority.
I think that most of the time, the opinions of many people who have common sense are right. But that doesn’t mean the majority is always correct. Sometimes, the opinion of a small group is the right one.
What about the church? Believe it or not, the church is not a democracy. The church is more like a theocracy. The church is where God’s rule is present. It is where God’s kingdom happens. The church does not choose the opinion of the majority or the minority. Instead, it chooses God’s will.
Oftentimes, we hear people say, “The voice of the people is the voice of God.”
They believe that what the majority wants matches with God’s will. But when we look into Scripture, we find that public opinion was often not in line with God’s will.
People tend to shift easily based on immediate crises, discomfort, or fear. But these feelings are often different from what God wants.
Today, let’s take a close look at several scenes in the Bible where the people’s desires do not reflect God’s will. Through these stories, we can learn what we are truly called to follow and how to discern the will of God.
1) The People of Israel Reject the Promised Land (Numbers 13–14)
First of all, tet us take a look at Numbers chapter 13 and 14 briefly. Moses chose 12 men, one from each tribe. The 12 spies explored the land of Canaan for forty days and returned. Although the land was very fertile, 10 of the 12 spies gave a negative report(except Joshua and Caleb), saying, “We looked like grasshoppers next to the giants.” So the people of Israel despaired and cried, “Let’s go back to Egypt! Let’s stone Moses!”
So, the public opinion was what? “We are like grasshoppers. If we go in, we’ll all die.” Right? On the other hand, God’s will was… “Enter the land I promised you.” The public opinion clashed with God’s will.
This was the public sentiment—driven by fear. But God’s will was crystal clear: “Go into the land I have promised you.”
What was the result? All Israelites 20 years and older were not allowed from entering the Promised Land. All adults over 20 wandered and died in the wilderness because they did not believe God’s promise.
Brothers and sisters, are we responding more strongly to public anxiety than to God’s promises?
2) The Golden Calf (Exodus 32)
Secondly, let us take a look at Exodus chapter 32. It goes like this. While Moses was on Mount Sinai, the people of Israel grew anxious and asked Aaron to make a golden calf, saying, “Make us gods who will go before us!”
Aaron took their gold and made an idol, and the people of Israel worshiped it, claiming it was the god that brought them out of Egypt.
God saw this and became very angry, planning to destroy them. But Moses interceded in prayer, asking God to forgive the people.
So, the public opinion was what? “Moses is gone! We need a god to lead us.” Right? On the other hand, God’s will was… “You shall have no other gods before Me.”
The public mood was like feeling unsure, uneasy, confused and anxious. But God’s command had already been given: “You shall have no other gods before me.”
What was the result? When Moses came down, he burned the golden calf and punished 3,000 idol worshipers. 3,000 people were killed. Moses then returned to God and again pleaded for forgiveness. God agreed to continue leading them but said judgment would come for their sin.
Brothers and sisters, are we tempted to seek tangible comfort or visible idols instead of waiting for God?
3) “Give Us a King!” (1 Samuel 8)
Thirdly, let us take a look at 1 Samuel 8. As Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges over Israel. However, unlike their father, his sons were corrupt—they accepted bribes and perverted justice. So, the people of Israel no longer wanted to be ruled by judges. The elders of Israel gathered and say to Samuel: “Give us a king just like all the other nations!”
So, the people’s demand(the public opinion) was what? “We want a king, just like other nations!” Right? On the other hand, God’s response was… “They have not rejected you, Samuel, but Me as their King.”
What was the result? God told Samuel to listen to the people of Israel, but first to warn them about what a king would do. Samuel said to them, “If you get a king, he will take your sons for the army, and your daughters to work for him. He will also take your fields, your crops, and your servants. You’ll become like his slaves.”
But the people of Israel didn’t care. They said, “We don’t care! We still want a king like other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.” So God said to Samuel, “Give them a king.”
God granted their request. God chose Saul but he ultimately failed as king.
Brothers and sisters, do we desire the systems of the world more than the rule of God in our lives?
4) “Crucify Him!” (Matthew 27)
Lastly, let us take a look at Matthew chapter 27. Jesus was handed over to the Roman governor Pilate by the Jewish leaders. Although Pilate found Him innocent, he gave in to the pressure of the crowd. The crowd shouted, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” Pilate ended up releasing Barabbas and sentencing Jesus to be crucified.
So, the public opinion was what? “Crucify Him!” Right? On the other hand, God’s will was… “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Although the people had no personal reason to hate Jesus, they followed the religious leaders and shouted repeatedly, “Crucify Him!” This reveals a psychology where people follow authority without critical thinking and are easily swayed by majority opinion.
When Pilate tried to wash his hands of guilt and said, “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” the crowd responded with shocking words: “Let His blood be on us and on our children!” (Matthew 27:25) This shows how individuals, in a crowd, often lose their personal conscience and moral responsibility, becoming more violent and reckless.
After Jesus was crucified, He was mocked not only by soldiers but also by passersby and even the two criminals crucified beside Him (Matthew 27:29–44). This shows how mockery and hostility can quickly spread in a group, with people joining in simply because others are doing so.
What the majority says is not always the truth. In Matthew 27, the crowd shouted, “Crucify Him!” But God’s will was to bring salvation through Jesus’ sacrifice. God’s will is often found not in the loud voice of the crowd but in the quiet truth.
Brothers and sisters, even today, many are guided by the opinions of the crowd, trends of society, or waves of emotion. Instead of asking, “What does God want?”, we often ask, “What do people think?”
Isaiah chapter 55 verses 8 to 9 says, ““For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.””
It is not like “Ok! Let us ignore public opinion.” Rather, it is a warning that public opinion is not always God’s will. God’s will is revealed in His Word—and often it appears as the minority path, the difficult road, or the way of faith.
Let us pray.
Dear Lord, help us listen to your voice before we listen to the crowd. Oftentimes, we compromise truth to follow trends. Father God, we really want to seek your will. Help us stand before you today in honesty so that we may not follow the voice of the people, but choose to follow your voice. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
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