The point raised yesterday while discussing dealing with peer pressure as Christians was guarding self against when the pressure would come and being firm and courageous to refuse the pressures. In today’s devotional, few more steps will be offered. (1). Apart from being on our guards, we are to avoid yielding selves to the peer pressure when the pressure is to commit sins. When a suggestion comes up, telling you to do certain thing because all the members of the peer group do it, care should be taken to see the sin beneath the actions. Doing the evil things a friend or relation does is like stepping on the path of the wicked. The Bible admonished Christians thus: – “Do not step on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go your way” (Prov. 4: 14-15 NIV).
(2). Honour God in all you do: Observations show that many people who failed to stand up against peer pressure did what the members of the group do in order for them to be accepted or approved. Those who repented of their sins but later fall back to it did that when members of the group start pressurizing them with intimidations and threats. People who say “If I refused doing what my group members want me do; will make them not to approve me as member usually succumb to peer pressures. We Christians are to know that our actions are not meant to be approved by mortal man but by God the Almighty. Apostle Paul said he would rather chose to please God than to please fellow human beings (Gal. 1: 10). As Christians, let us therefore, strive to honour God above all else in what we do.
(3). Identify what the group is up to: The most strategy members of peer groups adopt, especially those with evil intention to corrupt good manners is presenting benefits of what to be done to the person being preasurised. All who have been lured into what they were pressured to do can attest to this. Truth about associations is that they are known by what they do to themselves positively or negatively. Christians should be able to identify groups which bear the burdens of each other, influence each other to doing what is good. This tells readers to find a godly supportive group before joining. Any group that her behaviour fits Galatians 6: 2 is a supportive group or community. The passage reads: – “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6: 2 NIV). Any group that gives burdens to members should not be joined by Christians.
PRAYER:
HOLY AND BLESSED FATHER, save me from evil groups sandwiched with ulterior motives to ruin good manners. Fill my heart and mind with discerning Spirit in the name of Jesus Christ.
bishopubaudenyi@hopealivechurch