AVOID THE TRAP OF PEER PRESSURE
By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi
Mark 2:27 AMP "And Jesus said to them, The Sabbath was made on account and for the sake of man, not man for the Sabbath; ".
The law of the Sabbath required for the seventh day of the week to be set aside as a day of rest and communion with God. The scriptures says in Exodus. 23:12 " Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed". The disciples were accused of violating the law of the sabbath because they harvested food on the Sabbath.
The purport and intent of the Sabbath was for refreshment and this would have been defeated if the disciples had perished in hunger. This informed Jesus' response to His critics when He said the sabbath was made for man and not the other way round.
This parable underscores the importance of creating a healthy balance while seeking to fulfill divine purpose. Like the religious folks of Jesus' time, many persons have lost the joy of living and deviated from divine purpose due to peer pressure . This is a major reason for the increased rate in suicides. Once the joy of living is absent, automatically hope dwindles and the will to go on living diminishes.
Faith in a trustworthy personality yields hope. Jesus Christ is trustworthy and faith in Him results in unfailing hope. Sometimes we wonder why as Christians, we go through very difficult situations; the answer is in Romans 5:3-5 AMP ."....pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us...... " The pressures of life serve as the bedrock upon which christian character for victorious living is formed in line with God's purpose for our lives .
Whenever we yield to peer pressure ,we deprive ourselves of this rewarding and glorious experience . This often occurs when we allow ourselves get overwhelmed by the pressure to keep up with trends with persons within our age bracket .The scriptures warns against this, 2 Peter 3:17 AMP says "Let me warn you therefore, beloved, that knowing these things beforehand, you should be on your guard, lest you be carried away by the error of lawless and wicked [persons and] fall from your [present] firm condition [your own steadfastness of mind]."
The world is replete with persons who despise being under any form of Christian or biblical authority but ironically desire faithful relationships: a derivative of divine authority. This often leads to a conflict of interest ,fear and crisis in relationships borne out of irreconcilable differences; this is a byproduct of negative peer pressure and hinders the fulfillment great dreams.
Peer pressure leads to a stagnation in one's spiritual growth and an unfulfilled destiny , 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 AMP says "So, come out from among [unbelievers], and separate (sever) yourselves from them, says the Lord, and touch not [any] unclean thing; then I will receive you kindly and treat you with favor, [Isa. 52:11.] And I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. "
keeping company with mockers hinders God's blessings ,Psalm 1:1-3 AMP.says" Blessed (Happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather. But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night. And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity]. "
We should prayerfully seek for godly friends for encouragement and strength in our moments of crisis ( Hebrews 10:25, 1Thesselonians 1:5-8) As you receive Jesus Christ as your lord and saviour and read this now, receive grace and freedom from destiny destroyers in Jesus name.
Prayer /counseling +2348098536911, +2348035536911
Email :Michaelbensonajayi@gmail.com
pics credit . pixabay
The law of the Sabbath required for the seventh day of the week to be set aside as a day of rest and communion with God. The scriptures says in Exodus. 23:12 " Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed". The disciples were accused of violating the law of the sabbath because they harvested food on the Sabbath.
The purport and intent of the Sabbath was for refreshment and this would have been defeated if the disciples had perished in hunger. This informed Jesus' response to His critics when He said the sabbath was made for man and not the other way round.
This parable underscores the importance of creating a healthy balance while seeking to fulfill divine purpose. Like the religious folks of Jesus' time, many persons have lost the joy of living and deviated from divine purpose due to peer pressure . This is a major reason for the increased rate in suicides. Once the joy of living is absent, automatically hope dwindles and the will to go on living diminishes.
Faith in a trustworthy personality yields hope. Jesus Christ is trustworthy and faith in Him results in unfailing hope. Sometimes we wonder why as Christians, we go through very difficult situations; the answer is in Romans 5:3-5 AMP ."....pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us...... " The pressures of life serve as the bedrock upon which christian character for victorious living is formed in line with God's purpose for our lives .
Whenever we yield to peer pressure ,we deprive ourselves of this rewarding and glorious experience . This often occurs when we allow ourselves get overwhelmed by the pressure to keep up with trends with persons within our age bracket .The scriptures warns against this, 2 Peter 3:17 AMP says "Let me warn you therefore, beloved, that knowing these things beforehand, you should be on your guard, lest you be carried away by the error of lawless and wicked [persons and] fall from your [present] firm condition [your own steadfastness of mind]."
The world is replete with persons who despise being under any form of Christian or biblical authority but ironically desire faithful relationships: a derivative of divine authority. This often leads to a conflict of interest ,fear and crisis in relationships borne out of irreconcilable differences; this is a byproduct of negative peer pressure and hinders the fulfillment great dreams.
Peer pressure leads to a stagnation in one's spiritual growth and an unfulfilled destiny , 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 AMP says "So, come out from among [unbelievers], and separate (sever) yourselves from them, says the Lord, and touch not [any] unclean thing; then I will receive you kindly and treat you with favor, [Isa. 52:11.] And I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. "
keeping company with mockers hinders God's blessings ,Psalm 1:1-3 AMP.says" Blessed (Happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather. But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night. And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity]. "
We should prayerfully seek for godly friends for encouragement and strength in our moments of crisis ( Hebrews 10:25, 1Thesselonians 1:5-8) As you receive Jesus Christ as your lord and saviour and read this now, receive grace and freedom from destiny destroyers in Jesus name.
Prayer /counseling +2348098536911, +2348035536911
Email :Michaelbensonajayi@gmail.com
pics credit . pixabay
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