There was a man named Solomon Asch who ran a psychological experiment.
Eight people were put into a room together to participate in a group vision test. The experimenter showed the group a card. On the left was a reference line and on the right were three lines labeled 1, 2, or 3. Each individual in the group had to identify out loud which line the reference line matched—line 1, 2, or 3.
The answer was clear—with less than 1% error rate expected.
But here is the catch—all but one of the eight subjects in the room were actors. These actors had previously decided which incorrect line they would pick during each trial.
Only one person was actually being studied here. And he was not being tested on his visual judgement skills, but in if he would conform to a group dynamic.
This study was repeated on many test subjects. Some stayed confident in their choice the whole test. Some conformed the whole test. On average, the test subject went along with the group answer 37% of the time.
Interviews afterwards showed people conformed for different reasons. Some didn’t have confidence in their own judgement. Some wanted to fit in.
But here is the point—even if everyone in the group said something was true, it didn’t make it the truth.
As Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, “The thing about truth is that it exists beyond belief. It is true even if nobody believes it.”
Many times in this life, we will be surrounded by voices giving different opinions than us. Maybe unanimously a different opinion than us.
It doesn’t make it true.
There is a phrase going around—speak your truth. And I think the idea behind this is important—people should be able to share their opinions & perspectives.
But using the word truth like it is subjective is something I am wary of.
Because truth does not belong to you or me. It belongs to God.
And when we go to Him, the source of all truth, we will find it.
Dare to stand—not alone—
but with Christ.
Defending truth while remembering this foundational truth: to love your neighbor as yourself.
come follow me daily 