We Are All Sheep

Admittedly, in the past, I have referred to people who blindly follow mainstream media talking points (propaganda) as “sheeple” as a means of being derogatory. Sheep are dumb animals that blindly follow, so the term seemed appropriate. They have such a strong flocking instinct that they all move along in the same direction when there is any herd movement.

I recently watched a video in which there was a large bonfire in a field, and sheep were herded into the field and around the outside of the bonfire in a clockwise direction. They created a circle around the bonfire, and the sheep in the front quickly caught up to the sheep in the rear. The shepherd removes himself at this point, and the sheep continuously herd in a circle. There was no longer a leader, just a herd of followers.

A couple of years ago, there was even an incident where sheep were documented to have herded themselves in a continuous circle for 12 straight days.

Does this not seem to mimic societal behaviors? Culture feeds a narrative to people who regurgitate the narrative on social media to each other, and the circular behavior begins. The sheeple analogy seemed to make sense, but what I failed to realize is that we are all sheep, and the real difference is in the shepherd we choose to follow.

Let’s consider Psalms 23 (Psalm of David):

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

David likens himself to a sheep because, like sheep, he recognizes that we are here to follow blindly. He also acknowledges that the Lord is the perfect shepherd and will take care of his flock.

Sheep do not understand what directions are best to travel in, and they must have their shepherd to follow in order to survive. If not, they will find themselves in the presence of wolves or without sustenance. What could be better than green pastures and still waters for a sheep?

If we find ourselves in a bad place in life (the valley of the shadow of death), as long as we walk with God, we should feel comfort because God’s “got this” for us. We follow Him because he will keep us on the right path and our reward will follow.

The real frustration with the aforementioned sheeple is that they follow a cultural shepherd. It’s beyond frustrating that they blindly follow a path to spiritual slaughter, and try as we may, it is challenging to get them to take notice. Some may even wander over and occasionally mingle with a proper flock, only to return to their cultural shepherd.

One cannot follow two shepherds.

Like sheep, we are social beings; others may follow if one begins to go astray. This is why we must be careful not to lead others astray. This brings me to another frustration; I believe the main reason people think they can follow both God and a cultural shepherd is that churches too often embrace both shepherds, setting a dangerous example over a Christian one.

David isn’t the only one who likened us to sheep.  Jesus gets the final word in this article with Luke 15 (Parable of the Lost Sheep):

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus.

But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

Then Jesus told them this parable:

“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?

And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’

I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.