Beech Tree News Network

            Parents are concerned about their children and the “peer pressure” they face at school; when they’re on “social media,” etc. Our young people can be swayed to do things out of character for them. Sometimes this happens because they are with a group of peers urging them in the activity. At times, it’s because a close friend, a boyfriend/girlfriend, or a spouse, urges them. They need our support and encouragement to do what is right (Rom. 12:1-2). Have we instilled our children with the confidence to do what is right, even when it means standing alone (Eph. 6:4)?

             Peer pressure doesn’t go away when we receive a diploma. Regardless of our age, we have peers! We have people who want us to speak and act the same way “everyone else” does in order to fit in. Therefore, we need to be able to stand and be faithful to God, even when it means standing alone!

             I hasten to add that there are times when the “pressure” can be positive. Encouragement from our peers, a boyfriend/girlfriend, or a spouse, to do what is right is the exact thing we need (Heb. 10:23-25; I Pet. 3:1-6)! There are some folks who, no doubt, have helped us because they were standing as encouragement at a time when we needed to make a hard decision.

             There are many in the Bible who, I believe, could say, “Yes, I have experienced the positive and negative sides of peer pressure!” Two from the book of Esther show us what it means to stand for God even when it means standing alone -- Mordecai and Esther! Mordecai faced negative pressure, while Esther had encouragement to do what was right.

             Mordecai stood literally and figuratively for his principles. In Esther 3:2-4, Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman. We aren’t told his reasoning but are told that he refused to bow and refused to yield even after others spoke to him “daily” about his refusal. Mordecai had made up his mind, and he wouldn’t give in to the pressure he faced even when this meant death! What a model for us. It would’ve been much easier for him to have given in and bowed, but he refused.

             Esther stood in another fashion. She entered bravely into the king’s presence when uninvited (Est. 5:1-2). In chapter four, we learn why this was an act of bravery. It’s because it was a capital offense to approach the king uninvited (Est. 4:11). She was genuinely taking her life in her hands to approach Ahasuerus when he didn’t call for her. Yet, the situation demanded it -- her nation was going to die if she didn’t (Est. 3:12-15). It would’ve been much easier for Esther not to approach the king’s throne, but through Mordecai’s encouragement, she did it (Est. 4:16-5:2).

             Examine your past decisions (II Cor. 13:5). When faced with serving God or making friends mad, what did we do (Jas. 4:7)? Have we ever been the encourager to one who needed encouragement to serve God? We won’t get out of this world alive, nor will we get out of this world alone (Rom. 14:7)! Let’s face the pressure Satan puts on us with dignity and refuse to follow him anymore (Jas. 1:14-15; Matt. 10:42; Mk. 16:16; I Tim. 6:11-12).

-- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167