Despite a great weekend of football on the field, a bizarre story has surfaced involving the University of Tennessee hiring Greg Schiano…and then backing out at the last minute.
Although the school had chosen to make Schiano (Ohio State’s Defensive Coordinator) their next head coach, Sunday night’s press conference was called off and the deal was rescinded.
Tennessee fans vehemently protested Schiano’s hiring by marching with signs reading “Schia-NO.” Despite the lack of hard evidence, fans made it known they didn’t like Schiano’s connection to Penn State and the Sandusky scandal.
Even with many unresolved layers to this story, the public outcry caused the administration to second guess the hiring of Schiano, and the strong voice of the fans had a direct impact on their decision.
Whether or not the fans were right or wrong to loudly voice their concerns and publicly attack Schiano’s character, clearly the “groupthink” caused an administration to alter their decision making.
There’s no denying that a mob mentality can affect how people think. However, as followers of Jesus, we must make sure we stick with our God-given convictions…and not be negatively swayed by outside influences.
Thankfully we have the mind of Christ available to us and can depend on His leading and guiding. The world, culture, and groupthink surrounding us will try to alter our beliefs, but we must fight against being wrapped up in the wrong mindset.
Every day there is a battle taking place and we must decide who we want to follow. The Bible explains this conflicting thought process in 1 Corinthians 2:14-16 (AMP):
“But the natural [unbelieving] man does not accept the things [the teachings and revelations] of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness [absurd and illogical] to him; and he is incapable of understanding them because they are spiritually discerned and appreciated, [and he is unqualified to judge spiritual matters].
“But the spiritual man [the spiritually mature Christian] judges all things [questions, examines and applies what the Holy Spirit reveals], yet is himself judged by no one [the unbeliever cannot judge and understand the believer’s spiritual nature].
“For who has known the mind and purposes of the Lord, so as to instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ [to be guided by His thoughts and purposes].”
Today as we make decisions, let’s remember we don’t have to get sucked into the “mob mentality” because we have the mind of Christ revealing the truth and His direction to those who seek Him.
As we hear the crowd all around us, let’s question, examine, and apply what we know the Holy Spirit is showing us. Let’s decide to go the right way…regardless of where everyone else is heading.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for leading and guiding me. Help me not to be influenced by the crowd or buy into the mob mentality. I pray, Lord, that I would trust the convictions You’ve given me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
