07/07/2026
“We ought to obey God rather than men.” — Acts 5:29, KJV.
The Scriptures repeatedly show that the great test before God’s people is not merely whether they possess truth. The test is whether they will stand with that truth when it is opposed by men. At times, the voice of the multitude, the influence of leaders, or the fear of human displeasure has caused many to turn away from the clear word of God. Consider ancient Israel. The people desired a king, that they might be like the nations around them. But Jehovah revealed what their request really meant. He said to Samuel: “For they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.” — 1 Samuel 8:7, KJV.
Though the people appeared to speak against Samuel, their real rejection was against God’s rule. They wanted visible human leadership more than the direct government of God. A similar spirit was seen at Sinai. While Moses was in the mount, the people became impatient and said to Aaron: “Up, make us gods, which shall go before us.” — Exodus 32:1, KJV.
Instead of waiting upon the Lord, they accepted a form of worship shaped by human weakness and popular demand. How dangerous it is when men desire something visible and immediate more than they desire the direction of God! Again, when Israel came near to the borders of Canaan, Jehovah had promised them the land. Joshua and Caleb believed that promise. Yet the people listened to the fearful report of the ten spies. So strong was their unbelief that “all the congregation bade stone them with stones.” — Numbers 14:10, KJV.
In that hour, the issue was clear: Would they stand with the promise of God, or would they side with the fearful majority? In the days of Jeremiah, the same danger appeared. The prophet declared: “The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so.” — Jeremiah 5:31, KJV.
What a solemn warning! Falsehood becomes especially dangerous when the people themselves prefer it. They did not merely endure deception; they loved the very system that kept them from the truth. The most serious example is found in the rejection of Christ. When Pilate presented Jesus to the people, the religious leaders influenced the multitude to reject Him. The record says: “But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.” — Matthew 27:20, KJV.
The people were led by men, and under that influence they rejected the Son of God. Their choice became still more solemn when the chief priests declared: “We have no king but Caesar.” — John 19:15, KJV.
What a fearful confession! Those who claimed to be guardians of truth chose earthly authority over the Messiah whom God had sent. Yet not all rejected Christ openly. Some believed, but they feared the consequences of confessing Him. Of such ones it is written: “For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” — John 12:43, KJV.
This teaches us an important lesson. A person may know the truth and still fail the test if he values human approval more than faithfulness to God. What, then, should we learn? We must never allow the voice of men, the pressure of the multitude, or the influence of religious leaders to stand above the plain word of God. When human authority conflicts with divine truth, the rule of faith is clear: “We ought to obey God rather than men.” — Acts 5:29, KJV.
So each one should ask himself: When truth is unpopular, where will I stand? When the majority turns aside, whose voice will I follow? When men of influence oppose the word of God, will I remain faithful? The loyal servant of God will not be governed by fear, popularity, or human praise. He will stand where Joshua and Caleb stood, where Jeremiah stood, where the apostles stood — with God and His truth.
