Seeds For Thinking

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

* Peer Pressure
* Scripture: Jesus said, "Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch? Luke 6:39, NKJV

Peer pressure! We tend to think of adolescents when we hear the word, but peer pressure goes far beyond the realm of teenagers. It can be brought to bear on any of us, because a peer is anyone of the same societal group, based on age, grade or status. Unless, of course, you are in Great Briton, where the peerage consists of the ranks of duke, marquess, earl, viscount, or baron.
One's peers have a powerful influence over one's behavior. We don't want to be the odd ball, the 'different' one. In group dynamics, there is a weight, or pressure, that functions in determining acts or choices made in common. As part of a crowd, we tend to go along with the crowd. "When in Rome . . . ."
"Birds of a feather" do indeed flock together, research has shown. It is just natural to want to be among others like ourselves. Our 'feathers' may be clothing, choices in music, favorite leisure activities, or beliefs and tenets. A peer group draws a circle, delineating what is 'In' and acceptable, and what is Not a characteristic 'feather' of inclusion. In some societies, the showing of an unacceptable 'feather' can lead to shunning of the offender - exclusion from fellowship.
I suppose a case could be made that the first example of peer pressure presented in the Bible was Adam's acceptance of Eve's fruity snack. The 'Authority' figure that seeks to sway a group's thinking was certainly there, and 'ole Satan is still in there, taking advantage of the 'follow the leader' syndrome.
One of the most disastrous events in the history of Israel hinged on the elements of the generation gap and peer pressure. King Solomon's successor, Rehoboam, first consulted the elders, who enjoined him to be a servant to the people, and speak good words to them. (1 Kings Ch. 12)
Rehoboam rejected their advice, and instead consulted the young men he had grown up with - his peers!
Their promised heavy yoke and harsh kingship led to a split in the nation, starting the northern ten tribes down the long path to idolatry and eventual dispersement among the nations.
We often stand where Adam and Rehoboam stood: We need to make choices - which can either lead us astray, or strengthen our walk on the right path.
Choose well - a peer group of those who can see clearly God's pathway.
By all means, avoid those who are blind to His Way, lest we follow them into the dark ditch of eternity.
January 15, 2006

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

* Images
* Scripture: Jesus said, “They (scribes and Pharisees) do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best places in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the market places. . . Mt. 23:5-7a NIV (Read Matthew. Ch. 23)

Imagine two painting hanging on the wall. Both are still lifes, showing flowers in numerous, vivid colors. Standing at normal viewing distance, little can be discerned to distinguish one from the other. At close range, however, someone who is familiar with the finer techniques of painting would see that the brush strokes, the blending and choice of the colors suggest that one painting was done by a skilled artist.
Now let’s focus our examination on the other painting. At close range, even the most casual observer can see that it has been done by the “paint by numbers” technique. The basic outlines of a design are printed on a board or canvas, with numbers that identify a color from a chart. Sort of like an advanced coloring book where a child fills in between the lines. It may be a fun way for an amateur artist to create a painting, and the design may be quite elaborate, but not something that a skilled artist is apt to do.
Given a preference, I’m sure most of us would prefer to be the skilled master artist, creating an image without restraining lines on a blank canvas, rather than filling in a fixed design all laid out for us. We would like to be able to do that with our lives, as well - freely choosing a personality and lifestyle and living it the way we want to. But paintings are not the only things created by the “paint by numbers” method.
We all model our lifestyles according to the social standards and mores about us. We “fill in the spaces” to create an image of who we are, consistent with behavioral patterns of the society in which we live. This may be a good thing if we are trying to model our life on God’s design, and not by the world’s design.
Think for a moment of the many ways people try to impress others by creating a worldly social image, especially as a status symbol. We are cudgeled constantly by advertising to develop a certain persona by adopting (and purchasing, of course) clothing, houses, automobiles, and appliances. The food we eat, the businesses we frequent, and our choice of leisure activities are taken as indicators of our worth and social standing. We are wont to emulate the rich and famous, and enjoy the elements of “The Good Life.”
My thought is this - adopting something because it is the “IN” thing is much like selecting colors from a chart and painting them into pre-established lines. Further, it is like being given a design and then forced to paint it according to someone else’s whim. Wearing an ‘Out‘ style, purchasing the ‘wrong’ product, or following the ‘dated’ trend is like getting caught painting outside the lines, or using the wrong color. Comfort, safety, health and moral issues are not necessarily considerations of the “whim” crowd, however.
Now, is religion exempt? By no means! Consider Jesus’ comments concerning the Pharisees. “Blind guides - Hypocrites”, Jesus called them. They do all their deeds to be seen by others.
Keep in mind Jesus’ words in verse 12: “All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Model your life on God’s design, and not by the world’s design.
March 6, 2005