Christian Pitfalls: Peer Pressure

Am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Galatians 1:10 (ESV)

Peer pressure in schools creates and destroys. It CREATES standards in looks, grades, and sports. Its clubs, cliques, and teams become little gangs. For kids who aren’t included, it DESTROYS. The means? Isolation and bullying. It’s a real ‘Lord of the Flies’ tragedy!

This being said, peer pressure weighs upon every age, culture, and generation. Without God's guidance, without love and hope, it pushes people down a wide, dark path.

Most travel this path voluntarily! (Christians, too, to Satan’s utter delight!)

  • 'For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it' (Matthew 7:13). 

Why? It centers around conformity, “fitting in,” and a desire for acceptance.

  • Many Christians seek worldly approval.

  • Many Christians want “Christian approval.”

  • Many churches are “gangs”, with manmade “gang” rules.

Actors, models, and talent for Christ:

'Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”' (1 Corinthians 15:33).

Be certain that your church and closest friends are loving and kind:

  • 'He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed' (Proverbs 13:20).

  • 'And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect' (Romans 12:2). 

Bad peers will mold you into their image.  GOOD peers will lift you into His Image!

Christian Pitfalls: Peer Pressure (Part 37)

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players.’ Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.

Carey Arban