--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Tend to choose what is popular over what…" description: "\"Tend to choose what is popular over what is right when they are in conflict. They desire to fit in both at church and outside of church; they care more..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17f/francis-chan-548_action_tend-to-choose-what-is-popular-over-what_1334809.jpg" --- # Tend to choose what is popular over what is right when… ![“Tend to choose what is popular over what is right when they are in conflict. They desire to fit in both at church and outside of church; they care more about what people think of their actions (like church attendance and giving) than what God thinks of their hearts and lives.” quote by Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17f/francis-chan-548_action_tend-to-choose-what-is-popular-over-what_1334809.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17f/francis-chan-548_action_tend-to-choose-what-is-popular-over-what_1334809.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17f/francis-chan-548_action_tend-to-choose-what-is-popular-over-what_1334809.jpg) > “Tend to choose what is popular over what is right when they are in conflict. They desire to fit in both at church and outside of church; they care more about what people think of their actions (like church attendance and giving) than what God thinks of their hearts and lives.” [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Choosing societal approval over moral integrity leads to superficial faith that values image more than genuine belief. **In simple terms:** People often pick what’s popular instead of what’s right. Key Takeaway Prioritize inner conviction over external approval. Themes faith integrity social pressure authenticity church Mood reflective determined Type inspirational challenge When to use this quote - church involvement - social media behavior - personal decision‑making Key Concepts ethics psychology community dynamics Questions to Reflect On - What pressures influence your moral choices? - How can you align actions with inner values? A Different Perspective The tension between belonging and authenticity can be complex and nuanced. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Care](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/care/) [Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/church/) [Church attendance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/church-attendance/) [Conflict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conflict/) [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [I quickly found that the American church is a difficult place to fit in if you want to live out New Testament Christianity. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/i-quickly-found-that-the-american-church-is-a-difficult-place-to-fit/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [Church attendance is as vital to a disciple as a transfusion of rich, healthy blood to a sick man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-l-moody/church-attendance-is-as-vital-to-a-disciple-as-a-transfusion-of-rich/) [Dwight L. Moody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-l-moody/) > [In general, religious people seem to be happier than non-religious people - under various definitions of "religiosity," such as church attendance or professed spiritual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/in-general-religious-people-seem-to-be-happier-than-non-religious/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [You might tell me that you have been engaging in some deep questioning and theological rethinking.1 You can no longer live with the faith…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-d-mclaren/you-might-tell-me-that-you-have-been-engaging-in-some-deep/) [Brian D. McLaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-d-mclaren/) > [Church attendance may be dipping, but God can survive the Internet age. After all, He knows a thing or two about resurrection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-held-evans/church-attendance-may-be-dipping-but-god-can-survive-the-internet-age/) [Rachel Held Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-held-evans/) > [No person can be punished for entertaining or professing religious beliefs or disbeliefs, for church attendance or non-attendance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugo-black/no-person-can-be-punished-for-entertaining-or-professing-religious/) [Hugo Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugo-black/) > [ \[On women as priests:\] It has always seemed very odd to me that this particular sphere of activity should remain a male closed shop,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-stocks-baroness-stocks/on-women-as-priests-it-has-always-seemed-very-odd-to-me-that-this/) Mary Stocks, Baroness Stocks > [Many people get what they need from church attendance because the Word is preached, and the rituals are carried on, and God works, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/many-people-get-what-they-need-from-church-attendance-because-the/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [America has begun a spiritual reawakening. Faith and hope are being restored. Americans are turning back to God. Church attendance is up. Audiences for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/america-has-begun-a-spiritual-reawakening-faith-and-hope-are-being/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Do you realize the weight of the one who has invited us to follow him? He is worthy of more than church attendance and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-platt/do-you-realize-the-weight-of-the-one-who-has-invited-us-to-follow-him/) [David Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-platt/) > [Genuine Christianity is more than a relationship with Jesus, as expressed in personal piety, church attendance, Bible study, and works of charity. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-colson/genuine-christianity-is-more-than-a-relationship-with-jesus-as/) [Charles Colson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-colson/) > [Your deepest, darkest sins and your shameful secrets are simply irrelevant when it comes to the counterintuitive, ecstatic announcement of the gospel. So are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/your-deepest-darkest-sins-and-your-shameful-secrets-are-simply/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [There was only one decline in church attendance, and that was in the late 1960s when the Vatican said it was not a sin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-stark/there-was-only-one-decline-in-church-attendance-and-that-was-in-the/) [Rodney Stark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-stark/) > [As a leader it is your job to protect the missional integrity of the Jesus gathering to which you have been called. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stanley/as-a-leader-it-is-your-job-to-protect-the-missional-integrity-of-the/) [Andy Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stanley/) > [Though the world may often appear to be more charitable than the church, it is crucial to remember that, for the church, the care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-hauerwas/though-the-world-may-often-appear-to-be-more-charitable-than-the/) [Stanley Hauerwas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-hauerwas/) ## More by Francis Chan > [If you want to see the big stuff that God has, you've got to take some risk and trust only in the Gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/if-you-want-to-see-the-big-stuff-that-god-has-you-ve-got-to-take-some/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [God is compassionate and just, loving and holy, wrathful and forgiving. WE can't sideline His more difficult attributes to make room for the palatable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/god-is-compassionate-and-just-loving-and-holy-wrathful-and-forgiving/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [“In the midst of our failed attempts at loving Jesus, His grace covers us. Each of us has lukewarm elements and practices in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/in-the-midst-of-our-failed-attempts-at-loving-jesus-his-grace-covers/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [Jesus' call to commitment is clear: He wants all or nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/jesus-call-to-commitment-is-clear-he-wants-all-or-nothing/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [Yes, it is God who works in you. And, yes, there is work for you to do. Yes, the Spirit empowers you to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/yes-it-is-god-who-works-in-you-and-yes-there-is-work-for-you-to-do/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [The point of your life is to point to Him. Whatever you are doing, God wants to be glorified, because this whole thing is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/the-point-of-your-life-is-to-point-to-him-whatever-you-are-doing-god/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [Lukewarm people love others but do not seek to love others as much as they love themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/lukewarm-people-love-others-but-do-not-seek-to-love-others-as-much-as/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [“Life is comfortable when you separate yourself from people who are different from you. That epitomizes what my life was like: characterized by comfort.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/life-is-comfortable-when-you-separate-yourself-from-people-who-are/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [Christ can come back at any time so the one thing you want to have in your life is a focused prayer time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/christ-can-come-back-at-any-time-so-the-one-thing-you-want-to-have-in/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [“Awe Factor” video at www.crazylovebook.com to get a taste of the awe factor of our God.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/awe-factor-video-at-www-crazylovebook-com-to-get-a-taste-of-the-awe/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [“What I want you to do right now is to go online and look at the “Awe Factor” video at www.crazylovebook.com to get a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/what-i-want-you-to-do-right-now-is-to-go-online-and-look-at-the-awe/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [Multi-tasking is keeping me from whole-hearted worship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/multi-tasking-is-keeping-me-from-whole-hearted-worship/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [The stress that some of us feel - it's a lack of faith, it really is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/the-stress-that-some-of-us-feel-it-s-a-lack-of-faith-it-really-is/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [We have become dangerously comfortable- believers ooze with wealth and let their addictions to comfort and security numb the radical urgency of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/we-have-become-dangerously-comfortable-believers-ooze-with-wealth-and/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [Not being able to understand God is frustrating, but it is ridiculous for us to think we have the right to limit God to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/not-being-able-to-understand-god-is-frustrating-but-it-is-ridiculous/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) [Explore all 479 Francis Chan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) ## More Action quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/) [Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/) > [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/) [Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/) [Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/) > [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. I think people are conditioned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tyrnauer/i-reject-criticism-because-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-sit-there/) [Matt Tyrnauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tyrnauer/) > [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) [Browse all 14,940 Action quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Tend to choose what is popular over what is right when they are in conflict. They desire to fit in both at church and outside of church; they care more about what people think of their actions (like church attendance and giving) than what God thinks of their hearts and lives.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Francis Chan" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/tend-to-choose-what-is-popular-over-what-is-right-when-they-are-in/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Action" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/tend-to-choose-what-is-popular-over-what-is-right-when-they-are-in/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17f/francis-chan-548_action_tend-to-choose-what-is-popular-over-what_1334809.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17f/francis-chan-548_action_tend-to-choose-what-is-popular-over-what_1334809.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17f/francis-chan-548_action_tend-to-choose-what-is-popular-over-what_1334809.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Tend to choose what is popular over what is right when they are in conflict. They desire to fit in both at…” — Francis Chan", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Francis Chan", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Tend to choose what is popular...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/tend-to-choose-what-is-popular-over-what-is-right-when-they-are-in/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/tend-to-choose-what-is-popular-over-what-is-right-when-they-are-in/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```