Many of you take your cues from popular culture. And pop culture has always proven to be on the wrong side of history.

Many of you may not know this, but it was popular for ex-slaves in the South to remain living on the plantations and working for their former masters for pennies on the dollar: simply because it was too uncomfortable for many of them to stretch out in faith and set out on their own to find their own path in life.

Even in the face of grinding poverty and extreme racism, they would not leave. God had to literally send a drought and an insect called the boll weevil to eat up all the cotton to finally convince black folks to flee the old plantations in the South and to stretch out across America.

Imagine sticking with your oppressors for decades after your oppression has ended; when you can literally walk free and move to more hospitable areas. Moral of the story: following what's popular can literally impede your progress!

It was pop culture in ancient Israel to kill most of the prophets who were sent by God to correct their straying and errant behavior. Eventually, it was only after He sent severe judgment that Israel was finally ready to listen to what God had to say.

It was pop culture in Jesus' day to exchange the freedom of Jesus Christ for a revolutionary Jewish killer named Barabbas: simply because the jews in Jesus' day couldn't comprehend or discern that the oppression of the Romans against them was in fact ordained by God.

God often uses oppression from an outside force to move His people into the right kind of behavior; to shift us from following what's popular in the current culture to doing what's often unpopular - but right. The Bible is full of such examples from Genesis to Revelation.

Beware of what's popular in our culture or society. It's usually wrong. Because its usually of the devil.

If you find yourself feeling out of place with the majority in society who seem to support things that don't sit well with what you know to be right in your spirit: you're in good company. Because the majority are careening over a cliff; and following what's popular in culture will cause you to take that massive fall right along with the rest.

"For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13-14

"God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way." Matthew 5:11-12

Don't be afraid to follow the road less traveled. That's the road you want to be on; no matter how unpopular it may seem to be. God bless.