What is the age limit for peer pressure?
Peer pressure touches all of us no matter how old we are. If someone wants to say that they are older and have gotten over that problem they probably are blind to it. Subconsciously we can respond to the pressure of others and then afterward realize what we did or we may even catch ourselves right in the middle of it. No matter what your age I challenge you to take another look at peer pressure.
Driving
This really hit home a few days ago when I was driving. On my way to work there was this truck that started following me not long after I had left home. I live in the country so there were a couple of roads that we were on before hitting the main highway. This truck was not allowing me my space, he/she was following me really close. I think that you can all relate to that. It is very nerve racking to have someone right on your tail.
After about 3 miles we entered the highway. I got up to speed (55) and this person was still right behind me riding my tail. On my way to work, I often sing so I was singing and I thought I was ignoring the truck. I always check my speedometer now and then when I don’t have it on cruise control to make sure I am still on track. When I looked down I was amazed to find that I was up to 65 and he/she was still riding my tail. At that point, I slowed and put my cruise on. What amazes me the most is how the peer pressure was affecting me even though I didn’t even realize it.
As I slowed and put my cruise on I noticed that there was another truck behind the one following me. He/she in that truck was also in a hurry and passed me first and then the one behind me passed. After they passed they were going so fast that the distance between us was quite a distance in seconds. It is true that they didn’t make it far before there were more people going the speed limit. I am old enough to be a grandma now but I have never been pulled over and I don’t plan on starting now. But here’s the question, is that a good reason to go the speed limit?
Following the crowd
What came to my mind is how easy it is to follow the crowd; the truck behind me without even realizing it was pushing me. He/she was so close that it made me automatically speed up without any thought.
It made me think about how it is as a Christian. We are in a group at work, school, or even church and they may be doing something we know is displeasing to God but we don’t want to be different. Sometimes we just don’t even think about it. The next thing we know we are involved with some gossip, bad mouthing someone, or just listening in to an ungodly conversation.
When we start to feel the pressure we feel uneasy and we don’t like that uneasy feeling. We are afraid about what others are going to think. But we suddenly forget about what God thinks. The question is why does it matter so much what others think?
Sin
My son is away at school and he called me the other day and asked, “What is sin?” I replied, “Separation from God.” He said, “It is the absence of Love.” I agreed. This is so true. Who do we love? Do we even have true love?
Without love, it is impossible to please God. I was thinking after those trucks passed me how many try to avoid the law. We can be Christians that believe that we are following God. I mean we go to church, don’t kill, steal, etc. But are we Christians. I know people who claim to be Christians that have Fuzz Busters so that they can speed and not get a ticket. There are many examples that could be cited here but this is just one. Are we truly a Christian if we try to avoid the laws of the land? And when we avoid the laws of the land does that affect our relationship with God?
I believe that as a Christian we need to obey the laws of the land or any law that we may be under, at our school, work etc. “Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,” Titus 3:1-4.
Some people may be asking how can that be, we can’t obey every law because it may be going against God. And yes that is true. We need to obey every law unless it goes against the laws of God. “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him” Acts 5:29-32.
A lot of times we make excuses for not obeying laws that do not seem to go specifically against God’s law. But the reality is if we disobey authority over us, whoever they may be, and what they are asking us to do does not go against God’s Law we are disobeying God. We are not being a Godly witness.
Love
The thing that is amazing is it still goes back to love. Our human love is full of frailties. But God’s love is not and He will give us His love as we surrender our lives to Him. No matter what choices we make, even if it seems that we are doing some wrong to others, we are really doing wrong to God. It reminds me of Joseph in Genesis 39:7-9, “And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back anything from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” Every sin that we commit no matter who it is against is actually a sin against God.
Everything that we do goes back to whether we love. And it is whether or not we love God supremely. If we love God supremely we will love others. If we try to love others without supreme love for God it is a selfish love. We can only love selfishly. But thank the Lord He will give us His love.
Here is a quote from one of my favorite authors. It really sums it up perfectly. “All true obedience comes from the heart. It was heart work with Christ. And if we consent, He will so identify Himself with our thoughts and aims, so blend our hearts and minds into conformity to His will, that when obeying Him we shall be but carrying out our own impulses. The will, refined and sanctified, will find its highest delight in doing His service. When we know God as it is our privilege to know Him, our life will be a life of continual obedience. Through an appreciation of the character of Christ, through communion with God, sin will become hateful to us” {DA 668.3}. The bottom line, fall in love with Jesus.
The question is how? Spend time to get to know Him. Read about what He has done for you. And then ask Him for that love. And if we give all to Him He will make it happen. Prayer is such a key, I am realizing this more and more. And it is not just talking but also listening. “Lord, what wilt thou have me do today? Who can I serve today?” We need to get our minds off of self. If we can reach out to others it will change our perspective. We may think life is tough but when we ask God for someone we can help or serve He will bring us to people and we will realize how great we really have it. When we focus on self, our failures, people who have done us wrong, or anything that is of self, we become discouraged and depressed. We need to keep our eyes on the One that loves us with so much love that He gave up His life so that we can live eternally with Him. Now that is love. That is the kind of love that He can give us.
Dear Father,
I want this love. I want to surrender daily my life to You and be of service to others. Give me Your love because my love is so full of self. Show me today who I can serve and share Your love with. Thank You for Your love and what You have done for me.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Surrender all to Him today, asking Him for His love.
Love you all!
Do you have a story about peer pressure? A story where you stood your ground and did not give in to peer pressure or a story where you gave in to peer pressure and the results of it? Share below I would love to hear your stories.