"Come on, everyone else is doing it," they urge you on. "Come on just do it!"
You want to be 'in'. You want to 'be cool'. You want to 'fit in'. To be 'one of them'. You dress like them. You talk like them, now the door is open- if you just smoke it you'll be in. It's what you've always wanted, to be one of the big kids. To be included. What harm could one puff do? It's not like you'll get hooked or anything. Your fingers stretch out to take it...
Encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. 1 Thessalonians 2:12
Its such a great feeling, to be included. To be wanted. That sometimes we don't realize just what the consequences are. Peer pressure is a strong thing. It can sweep you away like a bubble on the ocean. It is so easy to get caught up in the 'want to be cool' feeling that we don't realize that what they want us to do isn't that great. We get caught up in the high of being accepted and we forget who we are. That we aren't supposed to be like the world.
Therefore, come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. ... I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:17-18
One of the times our family from out of town came for a visit we went bowling. Everyone got hungry so we were taking turns waiting in line for our pizza and drinks. One person would go bowl and then trade with the person in line. It was my turn to wait in line and one of the cousins who had already bowled was standing there talking to me- and swearing up a storm. As I picked up one of the drinks that were finally ready I noticed that he was wearing a Christian shirt that basically said: "ask me about my faith". I was a little stunned, what faith?
Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22
If it weren't for the shirt I would swear he wasn't a Christian, and yet he wanted people to ask him about his faith? The same guy who was swearing enough to be a sailor, want to tell people about Jesus? How does that work? We are supposed to be different, not look like and sound like the world.
For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life 1 Thessalonians 4:7
Whenever we leave the house my mom says two things, pray before you leave and remember who you are and who you belong to. Never lose sight of who you are, who you serve. It doesn't matter what 'those' kids are doing, or what they want you to do. You can't lead from the back of the line. You have to lead by example. You never know who is watching, who will see what you did and want to be like you and repeat it.
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 1 Peter 3:15-16
Check out our other post "Let It Go" by clicking the photo below!
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