Those Who The World Calls "Chicken"
As a boy, this writer was often called a "chicken," "yellow," "coward," or "weak." He would very often refuse to dance, or go public swimming, or drink, or smoke. Peer pressure then, as now, was very strong.
Very tempting was it to fall for the devil's lie that if a person really has courage, he will do what others do, whether in school, or on the playground, or in an automobile, in a dark alley, or on the job, etc. His father, a long time gospel preacher, kept assuring him, "Sonny, it takes no courage to go with the crowd; however, to go against what others are doing, to refuse to do evil and to choose to do good, does take real courage." The writer's wise father knew the devices of Satan - deceiving the young by giving false labels, calling, "...evil good and good evil..." (Isaiah 5:20). Satan's followers use ridicule, slurs and deception to tantalize the Christian to violate his sacred trust. "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil" (Exodus 23:20).
Christian, the Apostle Paul urges you to, "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit (equip) you like men (in maturity), be strong" (1 Corinthians 16:13). Jehovah commanded Joshua, "Be strong and of a good courage" (Joshua 1:6). Is the crowd, which is going down the broad way to destruction, courageous (Matthew 7:13, 14)? NO! That person whose concern is what people will slurringly label him IS a coward, a chicken! "Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets" (Luke 6:26; cf. Matthew 5:10-12). Peter was "chicken" when he denied the Lord thrice (Matthew 26:69-75), as were Demas when he returned to the world (2 Timothy 4:10), the Corinthians who had refused to discipline the adulterer (1 Corinthians 5:1-13), those at Pergamum who held the teaching of the Nicolaitans (Revelation 2:15), et al. Those who bow to the fashions and compromises of the world, in word and/or in deed are not courageous!
"Chickens" do not follow Christ; living lives of purity and uprightness! Was Joseph a chicken when he fled from adultery (Genesis 39:7-23)? It caused him to be cast into prison. Was Vashti a coward when she refused to dress immodestly and dance before the king (Esther 1:9-12)? She was deposed as queen. Was Daniel "yellow" because he refused to drink alcohol and eat defiled meats (Daniel 1:8)? Defiance of the king's command jeopardized his very life. Were the martyrs weak when they refused to be "...afraid of them that kill the body" (Matthew 10:28); the apostles when they prayed for boldness, being threatened with death (Acts 5:29); Paul when he was stoned and left for dead (Acts 14:19); Stephen when he was stoned to death (Acts 7:58-60)?
Was Christ a "chicken" when He endured buffeting, beating, scourging, mockery, cursing, dying on the cross to redeem you and me, dear sinner friend? He is our example (1 Corinthians 11:1; 1 Peter 2:21); He resisted Satan's temptations (Matthew 4:1-11).
The penitentiaries, half-way houses, hospitals and premature graves are full of young people (and older folks) who could not resist temptation when the world called them, "chicken"! To the devil, have the courage to say NO! To the Lord, say YES! It takes courage, REAL courage. Please, do not be destroyed by the deception of your greatest enemy, SATAN. Be saved by your greatest friend, CHRIST. Do not be a chicken!
From Our Archives, 1989
By: Curtis Cates