One of the hardest things some of us had to deal with when we were younger, and maybe even now as adults, is peer pressure. It’s that single point of divide where you are either one of the crowd or you separate and decide to act alone. As I am sure some of you have experienced, peer pressure is one of the strongest forms of influence you can be subjected to especially when you are young and aren’t equipped. You probably remember, that person who just goes with the flow.
Unfortunately, there are countless stories of young men who did not have the strength to say no, and found themselves in difficult situations that they only regretted later on. Whether that regret was with their family or even God, giving yourself over to the crowd, usually ends bad with all sorts of wrong outcomes.
I wanted to talk about that in today’s post after reading in 1 Peter 4:4 where he says, “they think it’s strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation (wasting away) and they heap abuse on you.“
Peter wrote these verses specifically to you and me who or are trying to separate themselves spiritually and more importantly, are working every day to keep it that way. The crowd or you’re so-called friends, when they see that you are not going to jump in with them…then heap abuse and insults on you. As if you are the problem.
Guys, are you ready for that abuse? Are you ready to be the one who separates from the crowd for the right reasons or are you the guy who can’t say no and just keeps on hanging out with that group?
Peter understood that point was important for all of us to comprehend. He tells us how we are going to be treated, but, and more importantly, he reminds all of us of what happens…in the end… if we don’t.
“But they will have to give a account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead“ 1 Peter 4:5
The way I see it, this is still your choice. It’s always been your individual choice. You can either live your life with the intent to serve God or you can continue to give into the peer pressure and keep going down the wide road which scripture tells us that ends in destruction. I am not being melodramatic…
I think that one of the main reasons why guys don’t make the right choice is because of the potential of suffering. But, I will tell you that those of us who willingly suffer for Christ’s cause find it easier to resist sin and to ultimately follow His will. What am I saying here? For all of us as Christian men, in 2025 soon to be 2026… You may be ridiculed for what you believe. Are you prepared for that?
My challenge to you today is to finally hand the steering wheel of your life over to God today and let Him drive. Make the choice to separate yourself from what the crowd is doing. Give Him the control and then watch, in wonder, what He does.
Why is this so important, so that when it comes time for you to give the account… of your life… God is only smiling.
Until next time Guys-
