Peer pressure is something we all know from experience, but we do not often talk about the ways that it affects our lives. In this episode, we are going to look at both sides of peer pressure, the negative influence that it can have on us, as well as the positive.

Peer pressure is a social pressure we feel that tells us to become something we are not. That pressure can come from a friend or friends, spouse, coworker, classmate, or social media. Wherever there are relationships, there is bound to be peer pressure.

Most often, we think of peer pressure in a negative way, and that is a reasonable connection. There are more people to encourage us to live selfishly and do things that are not godly than there are who will tell us to run from our desires. Scripture warns us that people will try to entice us to evil, and we have been given strict instructions for what we are supposed to do when that happens.

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers. But his delight is in the law of the lord, and on his law he meditates day and night." - Psalm 1:1-2

"My son, if sinners entice you,
do not consent...my son, do not walk in the way with them;
hold back your foot from their paths," - Proverbs 1:10,15

"So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. " - 2 Timothy 2:22

It is vital to run from the temptations of the wicked, not to entertain their plans. We must ground our minds in the word of God, allowing it to dwell in us richly. We must pursue righteousness, love and peace with those who also desire to be used by God.

In this way, we can activate positive peer pressure mechanisms in our lives. Through constant community with growing believers, we will always have a source of fresh inspiration and an outlet for our discouragements and failures, as well as our victories and testimonies. By surrounding ourselves with positive people and messages, it becomes easier and easier to resist temptation, and harder and harder to fall back into old, sinful habits.

If you want your spiritual life to be revitalized, start by taking charge of your immediate surroundings. Make the choice to follow Jesus in every decision and value, and then make the changes that reflect that decision. By the time you are finished, you will have become an inspiration to another believer, a fresh wind in their sail, a positive peer pressure in their life.

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