January 12 - Don't Follow the Crowd

JANUARY 12 - Don't Follow the Crowd3-Year-Bible Reading: Proverbs 3:31–33; Matthew 9________________________________________Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways, for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence. The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous. — Proverbs 3:31–33And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” — Matthew 9:10–12________________________________________Have you ever felt pressure to go along with what everyone else is doing, even when you know it’s not right? Maybe it’s a trend, a joke, a group chat, or even just the way people talk about others at school. Proverbs reminds us not to envy people who seem powerful or popular for doing the wrong thing. At the same time, in Matthew 9, we see Jesus doing something radical: hanging out with people the “cool” religious leaders avoided. He didn’t choose the crowd-pleasers. He chose the ones who needed Him most. Jesus invites us to see people through His eyes, not the world’s.________________________________________THINK ABOUT IT1. Who Are You Watching? Are there people you look up to who act in ways that don’t line up with God’s truth? What draws you to them?2. Jesus’ Example: Jesus didn’t chase popularity—He loved the rejected and broken. How can you follow His example at school, home, or online?3. What Does God Value? Proverbs says God blesses the righteous. How can you focus more on what matters to God than what’s trending?________________________________________BOTTOM LINEDon’t let the world define what’s worth following. Choose God’s way—even when it’s not popular—because His approval matters most.________________________________________PRAYERHeavenly Father, help me not to envy people who seem to have it all but live far from You. Give me the courage to follow Your way, even when it’s hard or unpopular. Teach me to see others like Jesus does and love them with compassion and truth. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.