Responding to Peer Pressure

Most of us usually think of peer pressure as an issue that is the sole domain of teenagers and college students. Somehow, we have come to believe that as we get older we become immune to the influence of our peers. The truth is that this is a lie. We are all influenced by those around us. Many of us have learned about the unacceptability of sharing Jesus with others. Someone, somewhere told us that it was not ok and we believed them. We accepted this lie despite the fact that it goes against the Biblical model and command for sharing the Good News.

Peer pressure is real and can be difficult to handle. It comes from both outside and inside the church. Peer pressure in and of itself is not good or evil, it simply is. It is our reaction to the pressure that is either sinful or not. In Matthew we read the account of two blind men who were crying out for Jesus to heal them. As they were doing this the crowd told them to be quiet. Their response was to call out even louder. Jesus then reward their response to the crowd by coming to them and having compassion for them and healing them. I suspect that Jesus heard them (being God and all) the first time but He was waiting to see their reaction to the crowd. It was their desire to keep their focus on Him that made the difference.

So how do you respond to peer pressure? What/Who are some of the are influences on your life? Do they help lead you to Godly actions? Some things to ponder!