Resist Giving In!

Peer pressure can be very strong, but it is nothing new. It is not unique to your generation or mine. It is not only experienced during the years of youth, but in adulthood as well. It is a force that must always be guarded against.

Note an exhortation from Peter’s first letter.
“(3) The time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. (4) With respect to this THEY ARE SURPRISED WHEN YOU DO NOT JOIN THEM in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; (5) but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” ( 1 Peter 4:3-5 ESV)

Most of the things Peter listed are probably clear, but let me define “debauchery” before we go further. “Debauchery” is defined as “extreme indulgence in sensuality.” [source: Webster’s Dictionary, tenth edition] In Peter’s statement in verse four he was simply referring back to his list in verse three.

Those among whom Peter’s readers were living were surprised when they did NOT JOIN IN (or return to) these activities and because of that these Christians were criticized. How many times have we experienced the same reaction when we have REFUSED TO BE INVOLVED in certain activities. Not only might we encounter surprise at our UNWILLINGNESS TO GO ALONG with the crowd, but it may also cause these people to begin to ridicule and bad mouth us.

The pressure to conform can be strong and being spoken against is never pleasant. What should be done when such pressure is experienced? Peter’s statement in verse five suggests looking beyond the moment to the fact a time of accountability is coming. We must remember that those who pressure us to go the way of the world will ultimately be held accountable for their choices just as we will for ours. With our eternal future in mind let us therefore continue to make the right choices now, no matter how challenging it might be.

Remember Paul’s plea to the church at Rome.
“Do NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD, but BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWAL OF YOUR MIND, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” ( Romans 12:2 ESV)

In J.B. Phillips’ translation, this verse begins “DON’T LET THE WORLD AROUND YOU SQUEEZE YOU INTO ITS OWN MOLD….” [The New Testament in Modern English, J. B. Phillips, © 1958] Though the pressure of peers tries, let us resist as we allow the renewing of our minds according to the truth of God to transform our lives from the inside out. REFUSE TO ALLOW the world’s judgment to shift our focus away from the judgment God has already given regarding right and wrong. Living according to His judgment now frees us from fear of His judgment to come. May our continuing pursuit be that of living in accordance with the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God!

Have a great day STANDING STRONG WITH GOD’S STABLE STANDARD!
Carl

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