Social pressure exerted by one’s peer group to take action, adopt values, or conform in some way in order to gain acceptance.

This is a trait of a fallen world, put pressure on someone to act like the rest of the group. Sadly it can be said about some so-called churches.

Exodus 23 verse 2: “You must not follow a crowd in wrongdoings. Do not testify in a lawsuit and go along with a crowd to pervert justice.’

1 Corinthians 15 verse 33: “Bad company corrupts  good morals”.

Proverbs 1 verse 10 and verse 15:

“My son {My daughter} if sinners {wrong doers] entice you, don’t be persuaded.”

V 15 “My son {My daughter} don’t travel that road with them, or set foot on the path.”

If we take the time to read Proverbs 1 verse 10 to 19: We can conclude: Young people will sometimes receive input that conflicts with the instructions of parents or guardians, and they must choose which advice to follow.

Proverbs is telling us that the ways of the wrong-doers is not all it promises to be, that the way they are trying to get you to follow leads most times in the opposite direction to what God has for your life.

There is good peer pressure, Hebrews 10 verse 24:

“And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works.”

The ways of God are different from the world. I always say all that glitters is not real gold, perhaps just fools gold.

The only thing you need to do is to be transformed, not to conform Romans 12 verse 2: “Do not be conformed to this age but be transformed, by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing and perfect will of God.”

So don not be conformed, to following people who do things that do not fit in with the perfect Will, He has for your life.

Be a leader and not a follower of people, even though you may lose a few friends, true friends understand, and do not try to manipulate.

Read Mathew 7 verse 13 and 14 and make it clear the way you want to and need to go.

Christianity or following Our Lord and Our friend is not always easy, but we have a Friend on Who we can depend and as a popular song puts it: “My best Friend is the Creator of the universe”.

He will never leave you or forsake you, and He has a great long term Eternal purpose for your life.

God Bless.

O F J>