Only Dead Fish Go With the Flow

The news was on in the background the other day, and the news anchor was interviewing Sarah Palin.  I was not really paying attention, but I heard him ask about a reporter who has moved in next door to them, and apparently cares WAY too much about how Ms. Palin and her family spend their time.  Anyway, he asked if they have had to alter their lifestyle at all because of him, or if they just "go with the flow."  Her response?

Only dead fish just go with the flow. 

I normally do not like silly cliches or catchy phrases (at all), but I have to say, this saying (which is apparently an Alaskan thing) really resonated with me.  I began to think about just how many ways this applies to Christians, especially in America.  Of course, in life, things happen, and we should try to make the best of every situation.  But that's not the "go with the flow" that I'm going to discuss here.

First of all, Christians, by the mere fact that we have been set apart from the world by God, cannot go with the flow of the world.  

"But you are a chosen race, A royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."  1 Peter 2:9

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."  Jeremiah 1:5

As Christians, we are called by God to be His people.  That means we are to be Holy, just as Christ is Holy, and that we cannot simply go with the flow of the rest of the world.  We should not be living our lives in the same way as the ungodly.  If someone were to look at your life, your priorities, the choices you make and the way you spend your time, would they see any difference at all from the life of your neighbor who does not profess Christ as Lord?  What about the words that come out of your mouth, or the way that you spend your money?  Do you talk like the world?  Do you covet material possessions?

Living a holy, godly life is not an easy thing to do.  Especially in America, where there are so many expectations of wealth and success and fame.  But who are we living our lives for?  For some meaningless, temporal success?  Or for the All Mighty, Righteous Creator of all?

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."  Romans 12:2

"For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers."  Romans 8:29

Although I fail daily, this is what I strive for.  To live a life that is pleasing to God.  Regardless of what my peers think, or what my family thinks, or what my neighbors think.  It is most definitely not an easy thing to do, but when you stand before the throne of Christ and have to give an account of your life, what are you going to say?  What will you have to show for your time on this earth?  A nice house and fancy car?  Or a life that was full of the work of the Lord?  A life full of prayer, priorities that were in line with God's priorities, and that stood firm in the truth of scripture, unashamedly?   

Another way that this saying is applicable is for the church as a whole.  Churches tend to do things a lot of different ways.  Different styles, different music, different orders of service.  Pastors and leaders are constantly trying to find the "next best thing" to make church more appealing and exciting.  So when a church makes a decision about how to spend it's money, or where to hold church, or what kind of service to have, or what the goal of the church should be, how can you know if it is the right decision?  That a particular decision is in line with the will of God?   

Well, the answer is simple.  The only absolute authority is the Word of God.  Therefore, if something that the church is doing, or something that people in the church are teaching contradicts scripture, then it is the wrong decision, or a wrong teaching.  So as believers sitting in the pews, what are we to do?  Just go with the flow because the leaders "know best"?  Just accept the authority of church elders simply because they hold a particular position in the church?  Of course not!

Only dead fish just go with the flow.

If a church is acting in a way that is contrary to scripture, the people of God are obligated to stand up and stand firm behind what they know to be the truth.  If a pastor or elder is teaching something that goes against God's word, believers have to hold that person accountable and let them know of the contradiction.

Although it is unfortunate to think that false teachings and misguided direction occur in the church today, this is nothing new.  Paul gives warnings to the early church again and again.  Even Christ Himself warned against false teachings:

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.  You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?  Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Therefore by their fruits you will know them."  Matthew 7:15-20

Then, in the 1800s, Charles Spurgeon spoke frequently of the effect of false teachings, and the apathy of the people sitting in the pews:  "Everywhere there is apathy.  Nobody cares whether that which is preached is true or false.  A sermon is a sermon whatever the subject; only, the shorter the better."

Unfortunately, this sounds all too much like it could have been spoken of our church today.  Jesus Christ said that He would build His church, and it is my prayer that the people of God would remember that and stop trying to rely on comfortable teachings that sound appealing, fancy light shows, cool, hip music, or big, expensive buildings to try and grow the church.  And I pray that we would remember that Christ alone is the head of the church, and not any one man or group of men.  

As Christians, we are obligated to stand behind the truth of scripture, whatever the cost, and absolutely refuse to just go with the flow.  We are not dead fish; we are made alive in Christ!  And we should be willing and excited to stand up for what is right and what we know to be the truth.