Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.   James 1:12 NASB

According to Wikipedia, peer pressure or social pressure is the direct influence on people by peers, or the effect on an individual who gets encouraged to follow their peers by changing their attitudes, values or behaviors to conform to those of the influencing group or individual. Now Romans 12:2 warns against this. We are told not to be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of our mind. We are told that by testing we may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

We often think of the term peer pressure with teens. I can’t imagine being a teenager today. It seems as though they have so much more pressure on them than we ever had. But the truth of the matter is that adults face peer pressure as well. No matter what age we are, we want to fit in. We want to be accepted. But one thing I have learned is that if my group won’t accept me unless I sin, I need to change groups.

Our scripture passage today tells us that we must remain steadfast. 1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us that no temptation will overtake us that is not common to man. It also tells us that God will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can stand and that He will always provide a way out for us. Romans 12:2 tells us not to conform to this world but be transformed by the renewal of our minds so that by testing we may be able to discern what is the will of God, what is good, acceptable and perfect.

God doesn’t force himself on us. We are given free will to choose whether or not we want to follow Him. But if you choose to follow Him, know that you will come under fire for your beliefs. Know that you will suffer ridicule and disdain. Know that you will come under attack. But know that God protects us when we choose to follow Him (Psalm 91).

A prime example of this is Chick-Fil-A.  The fast food chain has long been known as a Christian company. In 2012 Chick-Fil-A came under attack by the LBGT groups when CEO Dan Cathy expressed his views on same sex marriages. Phil Robertson, star of Duck Dynasty on A & E also came under fire when he spoke out against same sex marriages. They threatened to cancel the show, but Robertson refused to give in.  The LBGT community called for a boycott of Chick-Fil-A restaurants on certain days, Christians came out in massive numbers to support the restaurants and they boasted huge sales on those days. Recently it has been reported that they are giving up their long time support of Christian organizations such as the Salvation Army and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Are they caving to peer pressure?

Apparently it isn’t only teenagers and adults, but organizations that also cave to peer pressure. Isaiah 5:20 warns those who call evil good and good evil. It warns against substituting darkness for light and light for darkness; and substituting bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. We are told that in these end times, people will become lovers of self, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power (2 Timothy 3:2-5). We are told to avoid such men as these.

While I just gave you a very long list of behaviors that we should avoid, know that we are told to shun evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22). We are told to avoid men that exhibit these behaviors lest we cave in to peer pressure and conform to their way of thinking and behaving.

I encourage you today to recognize peer pressure for what it is, pressure to conform. There is good peer pressure and their is negative peer pressure. Pray for wisdom from God to discern and be able to know the difference. Pray for strength to not cave in to negative peer pressure.

Turn to God, remain steadfast. Realize that issues like what we are seeing today with Chick-Fil-A will only continue and grow more widespread as the end draws near. Make a commitment to God. Commit to memory Psalm 1:1-2 and make it your mantra, Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of he LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. Commit yourself to this and you can’t go wrong.

Have a great day!