Do we follow the crowd or do we follow the cross?

bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

How many of you have been asked at some point in your life, “If your friend jumps off a cliff would you?” There’s always been a problem in our world known as peer pressure. Statistics say that 26 percent of students find peer pressure to be a major issue in their life.

Many times, even into adulthood, we fall victim to this dreadful scheme. The World says we must look, act and dress a certain way, even though we were all created in the image of God.

Society screams, and sometimes wispers, a lie that you can live the way you want and it won’t hurt anyone but you. However, even the most naive would have a problem denying that peer pressure isn’t a serious problem.

So what are the effects of peer pressure? Well, there are way to many to list them all, but let’s consider a few…

First of all, there is guilt from sin that results from peer pressure. You can’t run from guilt, even if no one knows what you have done.

Another effect that is sometimes brought about is a loss of trust. Not many things hurt more than losing the trust of family and friends.

A third result of falling into peer pressure is that you become a follower instead of a leader, and all of us are leaders to someone. Often times, this results in compromising our convictions.

One of the worst effects of us falling into peer pressure is that it puts a strain on our fellowship with God. God is holy, and cannot be in fellowship with someone who is in willful, un-confessed sin.

So how do we overcome peer pressure? First of all, we need to get into God’s Word. Psalm 119:11 says, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

Secondly, many times, when possible, we need to resist being around people that have a bad influence on us. Try instead to surround ourselves with Godly people.

Thirdly, we need to make every effort to leave the situation. 1Corintians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

Ultimately, we need to make a conscience decision to follow the crowd and give in to Peer Pressure, or we can follow the cross and be blessed by God. It’s your choice. Likewise, you will have to own the consequences as well.

Be blessed.