Social Contagion and Numbers 11

Numbers 11 got me thinking about a couple of things this morning. First, I need to watch my complaining and be thankful for what I have. A lot of people would stand in line for my problems, and I have created most of those problems myself. And reading how the complaining started, the NKJV says it was the mixed multitude, but I like how the NLT describes it.

Then the foreign rabble who were traveling with the Israelites began to crave the good things of Egypt. And the people of Israel began to complain as well. “Oh, for some meat!” they exclaimed.
Numbers 11:4

This is an early example of “social contagion“. The rabble started a craving, then it spread through the community. We need to be mindful of who we hang out with, what we read, watch, and listen to. With the internet, bad ideas travel faster than ever. And sin can contaminate groups of people, and if we aren’t seeking God, being led by His Spirit, we can fall into the same trap the Israelites fell into here.

If complaining and worldly cravings are a ‘social contagion,’ then we need a spiritual immune system. I’m beginning to see that reading the Word, being led by the Spirit, and staying planted in a vibrant, faith-filled Christ-following community act as a ‘vaccine.’ A vaccine introduces a truth into our system so that when the ‘rabble’ starts to grumble, our souls recognize the lie and have the antibodies to resist it. We don’t just avoid the sick; we strengthen our own health.

Scripture emphasizes this, too: ‘Do not be misled: bad company corrupts good character’ (1 Corinthians 15:33). Ephesians 6:10-18 reminds us to put on the full armor of God so we can stand against the schemes of the enemy. Also, Psalm 119:11 says, ‘I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.’ These verses reinforce the importance of strengthening our spiritual defenses against negative influences.