Vol. 16 No. 27 | July 8, 2013
A fairly common conversation parents have with their children as they approach adolescence and during the teen years involves language that includes the danger of peer pressure.
Most conscientious parents want to make sure our children know how easy it is to be swayed by friends and companions, how difficult it is to resist a good friend when they try to talk them into doing something they know they should not do, and how important it is be a good positive influence on their friends and companions. We may even use a phrase like, “You don’t have to be like everybody else.” We may even throw in a good scripture to add some punch: “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.'” (1 Corinthians 15:33, NIV) Or as we like to rephrase it: “Evil companions corrupt good morals.”
Our children may respond with a roll of the eyes as they groan and and say, “Dad, you can trust me.”
We do trust them. What we do not trust is how deceptive and persuasive the forces of evil can be…even on those who have a solid faith and a strong belief system. What we know (often from personal experience) is how easy it is to be lured away from the faithful path of following Jesus.
We know all too well how sad it is when a man who has walked with the Lord drifts into the ways of the world. We know the horrible destruction caused when a woman of considerable influence chooses to abandon the ways of God for a life of selfishness. Too often we have seen the pain created when a church leader becomes consumed by following material dreams to the neglect to the ways of the Spirit.
Paul sounds like a concerned parent when he writes to his spiritual 
children from the Christian community in Rome:
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2, NIV)”Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking.” (Romans 12:2,The Message)
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2, NLV)
It may be that this gentle nudge urging us to “not conform to the pattern of this world,” to not “become so well-adjusted to our culture,” and to resist the temptation to “copy the behavior and customs of this world” has come at just the right time. You are feeling the world squeezing you into its mold. You are feeling the pressure to abandon the life of a Jesus follower. Or, maybe you have become weary of living the life and are considering a new and different lifestyle that you feel fits better with that of your friends and companions.
I pray this will be a wake-up call. I pray that you will not abandon the walk of faith. I pray that you will stay the course. I pray that you will not conform, that you won’t get too comfortable with this world, and I pray that you will not get caught in the trap of trying to copy the behavior of the world.
If you have to, ask for help. If you need to, change your friends, or your work environment. And certainly do what Paul suggests: “be transformed by renewing your mind,” and “let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.”
It is possible. He can transform you. Let Him. Do not be conformed. Please.
Tom
© Copyright 2013 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.