TOPIC: Peer Pressure
MEMORISE: For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. – 2 Corinthians 10:12
BIBLE READING: Romans 12:1-3
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
MESSAGE:
Peer pressure is one of the greatest enemies of a child of God. The most dangerous thing about it is that it is not specifically listed among the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21, so many Christians are not careful to take note of it.
Peer pressure means doing things to please one’s circle of friends or people. When a Christian starts doing certain things because of what people will say or think, such a believer has stopped being led by the Spirit of God, and he or she is already losing his or her sonship.
My dear child, don’t try to dress like the world because you don’t want to be left out’. Don’t try to use dirty slang to show that you are also familiar with current trends. The word of God says in 2 Corinthians 6:17 that you must be separate. People who should be called your friends should be those who have separated themselves for Christ. Thus, the kind of peer pressure that you should bow to should be God-centered and in relation to your future success.
KEY POINT:
You cannot please God and man at the same time.
HYMN 27 – WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS
1 What a Friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
2 Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3 Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer;
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer;
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Deuteronomy 26:1-27:26, Luke 10:13
AUTHORS: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE AND PASTOR FOLU ADEBOYE