Herd mentality – a social instinct with a carnal color – was clearly pointed out by Jesus himself when he said: “I do not seek glory from men” (John 5:41). He also warned: “How can you believe, who receive glory from one another, but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?” (John 5:44).
This is an exposure of a spiritual reality: man, in his lustful nature, is hostile to the soul. The spirit is the place of communion with God, of faith in things unseen. But the flesh believes only in what it sees and hears, and it is all the more easily deceived when it is reinforced by numbers. When fleshly people gather together in a “herd,” they feel stronger, more righteous – not because of truth, but because of numbers.
This carnal herd mentality is an inevitable corruption for those who refuse to listen to their conscience – the small voice of the Holy Spirit within them. Sadly, this is also the phenomenon that is happening in many churches today.
Many churches are gradually turning into monolithic systems – where power is in the hands of a family living around the church area, passed down from generation to generation. Because the descendants depend on their grandparents and parents for land and property, they “follow the religion” not because of personal faith, but because of systemic pressure. Faith becomes a family tradition instead of a personal choice with God.
Because of the fear of losing power, these monolithic systems often try to hinder true growth – they are afraid of new people, against opening more meeting points or establishing other churches, especially when those new people are not on their “side”.
Therefore, despite existing for hundreds of years, many churches still do not grow. They live to maintain structure, not to obey. They protect their own power, not to advance the Kingdom of God. And in doing so, they seriously violate Jesus’ own Great Commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19).