Cornerstone

Acts 24:24‑27 (27)

Peer pressure is defined by Dictionary.com as social pressure by members of one’s peer group to take a certain action, adopt certain values, or otherwise conform in order to be accepted.  It exists for all ages.  By itself it is neither negative or positive.  In study after study of adolescents, however, peer pressure is connected to at-risk behaviors such as cigarette smoking, truancy, drug use, sexual activity, fighting, shoplifting, and daredevil stunts.  Peer pressure may cause one person to strive to achieve excellence in the work place while it will bring another to embezzle funds from their company or become involved in an illicit affair with a co-worker.  White collar, blue collar, clergy collar, or dirty collar, it makes no difference. People are influenced by others.  We all have choices to make.  Whether you are Pontius Pilate, Felix, or Miss. California Carrie PreJean you will face pressure from friend and foe to make decisions for which you alone will be responsible.  Knowing that we are vulnerable because of the opinions of significant people it underscores the importance of the careful choice of influencers in our lives.  Proverbs 12:26 says that, “A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”

by Dr. Gayle Woods