How many times have we not taken the high road because it wasn't the "cool" thing to do? Or how about the times we were trying to impress our friends or the guy we liked at the time and we did something we shouldn't have done? We all do this.
I did something not very wise because a relative talked me into believing that what I did wasn't actually a bad thing. Now I know just how sinful it was and how foolish I was to believe that it was okay.
We should not fall into peer pressure from anyone. Not boyfriends, not friends, not co-workers, not family, not anyone. People talk us into very bad things just because they think it would be fun. The more the merrier right? No. We end up falling into their traps and end up regretting it and hoping we will someday forget about it.
Not only do we fall under peer pressure, but we also care what others think about us too much. "Oh look at how matronly she dresses!" "What a dork she doesn't even know what the difference between drugs are!" "Why don't you just live a little?" "Can't you wear something, you know, cooler?" "How do you not know who Eminem is?" So on and so forth.
I don't know why we even bother caring what others think. Its so pointless. God should be the only one we cared about pleasing.
Now we should listen to wise council from our friends in Christ - as long as it goes with God's word. We should not however listen to foolish babble. Lets look at a few scripture verses about not minding anyone else's thoughts but God:
Galatians 1:10
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ
1Thessalonians 2:4
But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.
Romans 12: 1-2
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
1Samuel 16:7
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
Now some verses about wise council:
Proverbs 12:15
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice
Proverbs 19:20-21
Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
Psalm 1:1-6
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
1 Corinthians 15:33
Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
This year let's keep in mind that we should:
Happy 2015,
Megan
I did something not very wise because a relative talked me into believing that what I did wasn't actually a bad thing. Now I know just how sinful it was and how foolish I was to believe that it was okay.
We should not fall into peer pressure from anyone. Not boyfriends, not friends, not co-workers, not family, not anyone. People talk us into very bad things just because they think it would be fun. The more the merrier right? No. We end up falling into their traps and end up regretting it and hoping we will someday forget about it.
Not only do we fall under peer pressure, but we also care what others think about us too much. "Oh look at how matronly she dresses!" "What a dork she doesn't even know what the difference between drugs are!" "Why don't you just live a little?" "Can't you wear something, you know, cooler?" "How do you not know who Eminem is?" So on and so forth.
I don't know why we even bother caring what others think. Its so pointless. God should be the only one we cared about pleasing.
Now we should listen to wise council from our friends in Christ - as long as it goes with God's word. We should not however listen to foolish babble. Lets look at a few scripture verses about not minding anyone else's thoughts but God:
Galatians 1:10
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ
1Thessalonians 2:4
But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.
Romans 12: 1-2
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
1Samuel 16:7
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
Now some verses about wise council:
Proverbs 12:15
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice
Proverbs 19:20-21
Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
Psalm 1:1-6
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
1 Corinthians 15:33
Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
This year let's keep in mind that we should:
- Not care what others think!
- Listen to WISE council!
- Care what GOD thinks!
- Not fall into peer pressure!
Happy 2015,
Megan