Not all peer pressure is bad. I hope that the pressure you feel from your peers in sticking with this Bible reading plan is causing you to daily stay in the Word. We tend, however, to call such pressure “encouragement.” Usually, Peer pressure refers to the influence exerted by a peer group in encouraging a person to change his or her attitudes, values, or behavior in order to conform to the group. When this is the case “peer pressure” is a very negative thing. It is a powerful force that affects not only teenagers but people from all age brackets and walks of life. Indeed, peer pressure (in this negative sense) is nothing else than a clever weapon designed by Satan to keep believers (and others) from doing what is right.
Even the Roman ruler, Pilate, fell prey to the attacks of peer pressure. In Mark 15 we read how Pilate was determined to let Jesus go, having found no fault with Him. This release, however, was not at all what the Jewish leaders wanted so they stirred up a crowd to demand for Jesus’ crucifixion. Notice what verse 15 tells us about Pilate in the face of this enormous “peer pressure”. “So Pilate, wanting to satisfy the crowd…[delivered Jesus] to be crucified.”
You will probably not be challenged by a mob to do anything today. You will, however, always be around a crowd of some form of another. Usually these crowds will demand that we crucify the Son of God by going to the wrong place on the internet, or having an unhealthy relationship with a member of the opposite sex, or cheating on your taxes or something like this. DO NOT SATISFY these crowds. Do not be like Pilate. Do not be afraid of being alone as you walk the path less worn. The Son of God whom you have not denied will be your constant companion, and His friendship is very sweet!
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