VICTIM OF PEER PRESSURE?

Friday 13 July Bible in one year Luke 18-21

Memorise:and be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of you mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable , and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2

Read : 2 Timothy 4:9-11

Undue peer pressure is an enemy to watch our for. Many times when we discuss peer pressure, our minds go to teenagers. Peer pressure is pronounced in that circle but not exclusive to it. Peer pressure exist with every group and assembly of people. Increasingly, and most unfortunately , many ministers of God are yielding to peer pressure. You will hear someone say : ” Pastor X has just moved to his house, i too must move to mine immediately” , or Pastor Y said he prophesied into the life of a member of his church and the fellow brought him a car, i too must prophesy to my members so that they can equally buy me a car”. Beware; peer pressure distorts vision and reorders priorities.

If you must forward and be what God wants you to be, you must overcome this pressure. Peer pressure makes a particular individual your standard instead of Jesus Christ. Whenever you hear that he has just added another feather to his cap, you become restless until you perform the same feat. The one who yields to peer pressure may never achieve his or her God giving goal or destiny because he will have no goal of his own, but only shift the goal posts in relation to the fellow he is copying. Peer pressure puts material things above spiritual things. The one who yields to peer pressure cannot set his or her affections on heavenly things. Such a person will be carnally minded. Peer pressure is all about “measuring up” and making people see that you are conformed . The one who yields to peer pressure can never please God. Like King Saul, he will strive towards pleasing men. While yielding to peer pressure, many have found themselves stealing, lying ,defrauding and dabbling into things they would not normally do. Peer pressure augments the works of the flesh, making a yielded soul wallow in lust , covetousness, envy, jealousy,greed, pride, arrogance, undue comparison, etc. Demas just wanted to be like other people so he yielded to peer pressure and he went out of the faith. Out of greed, some have turned the Bible upside down to support their intention of being rich overnight via the altar. Remember their elder Gehazi tried the same idea and he ended up with leprosy.

ACTION POINT: Peer pressure causes you to conform to the world instead of walking in Christ’s Victory over it.

Pastor E.A Adeboye