Peer Pressure

Posted on October 19, 2023 by Elizabeth Welte in Victory Call

For 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

As our children were growing up, we sought to teach them to do what they knew was right regardless of what others around them did, even if it was their Christian friends. Peer pressure comes in all shapes and forms, some obvious some subtle. Peer pressure is what the Bible calls fear of man. Do we ever outgrow that temptation?

Years ago I was on an outing with several people – adults and children, believers and non-believers.  Part way through our walk through this historical sight we became aware of a woman with another group that was having difficulty navigating her scooter. We probably wouldn’t have noticed but the rest of her group left her there with a dead battery.  There she sat in the middle of the path not too far from our spot where we stopped for a water break.

I asked, “Should we go see if we can help her?” Some in our group replied, “No! There are signs saying – no scooters – which she ignored, she’s on her own. Let those people with her help her. She shouldn’t be out here.” I shut right up and wandered around, inwardly wringing my hands thinking – “Thank you Lord that even when we ignore Your warnings you help us when we get stuck.”

Who is the man who fears the Lord? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. Psalm 25:12

I knew the right thing to do. My stomach was churning, but my “fear of man,” (the peer pressure) won out.  That bothered me all day and I still think of it from time to time.  I had at my disposal absolutely everything I needed to do the right thing.  It would have been a very simple thing to go to the woman and simply ask, “May I help?”  The answer would probably have been no, but that simple act of kindness could have had other implications for the woman. Who knows?

Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Hebrews 13:1-2

I know beyond a shadow of a doubt I missed a God-given opportunity to express His kindness that day and all because of succumbing to peer pressure rather than sharing the love and grace of my creator.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

Do you ever find yourself with that old high school feeling of peer pressure?   What will you do? Wring your hands or stand up and do what you know is right?

 

Written by Diane Hunt: Diane Hunt serves on the board of America’s Keswick and is the Executive Director & CEO of Changed Choices, a Christian non-profit in North Carolina. She is also a biblical counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.

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This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1