Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment.
Exodus 23:2

Fire does not follow trends, it remains the same all the time. Fire is fire. It is not frozen today, liquid tomorrow and vapour the next day; fire is always fire and remains in one state. It does not copy anything or anyone else – it remains in its own state.

I remember a time when the custom amongst men of God in Nigeria was to wear a flowing robe – Agbada. It was their way of proclaiming, “We have arrived”. I don’t have anything against the Agbada. It is the traditional attire in many Nigerian cultures and I do wear it now and again. However, I refused to follow the trend of wearing it all the time. One man of God said to me then, “I like you, but I don’t like the way you dress like a hunter” – apparently referring to the conservative French suits I often wear. I told him I was not a hunter, but rather, a soldier of Christ. Fire does not blend in with its environment; rather, it affects it.

You must stand apart. You cannot afford to do something simply because others are doing it. Fire does not conform; it is not afraid to stand alone. Fire does not yield to peer pressure. Proverbs 1:10 says when sinners entice you, don’t consent. It doesn’t matter how enticing the new trend is, if it is not in line with the word of God, reject it. In 1 Kings 18:22, Baal was worshipped across the land of Israel but Elijah set himself apart. He did not blend with the others around him because He was fire. It doesn’t matter if everyone is doing what is against God’s will, because you are fire, you cannot join them. 2 Corinthians 6:16-17 urges us to come out from amongst unbelievers.

Matthew 5:16 says that we should let our light shine before men, that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven. How will they see the works of God in you when you are always trying to blend with people who are doing the works of the devil?
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

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