How can we live in the world, but not be of the world?
To some extent we all want to be accepted – in our workplace, in our families, in our friendship groups. It is difficult trying to balance being true to ourselves and ‘fitting in’ with society. We should not feel the need to change ourselves to feel like we belong, especially when this compromises our faith.
Peer pressure is often assumed as something teenagers and young adults face, but I believe as adults we still experience the same type of pressures with our work colleagues and non-Christian friends. I know I often conform to the ‘norm’ or alter my behaviour when I am at work, sometimes without realising. I find myself getting involved in the latest gossip or saying things that on reflection are not very Christ-like. Rather than stay true to myself, I begin to almost mimic the behaviour and attitudes of others.
“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
We need to persistently ask God to continue guiding us to follow His example, instead of the ways of the world. By doing so we can stand firm in what’s good for us, and remain strong in order to not give in to pressure.
“Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.”
1 John 2:15
We can do this by wearing the armour of God. By doing so, when we face outside pressures, we can stand our ground and remain fixed in what we know is right.
“Put on all of God’s armour so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.”
Ephesians 6:11
An example of someone not giving into pressure is Daniel.
“But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods. Now God had given the chief of staff both respect and affection for Daniel. But he responded, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has ordered that you eat this food and wine. If you become pale and thin compared to the other youths your age, I am afraid the king will have me beheaded.” Daniel spoke with the attendant who had been appointed by the chief of staff to look after Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. “Please test us for ten days on a diet of vegetables and water,” Daniel said. “At the end of the ten days, see how we look compared to the other young men who are eating the king’s food. Then make your decision in light of what you see.”The attendant agreed to Daniel’s suggestion and tested them for ten days. At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king. So after that, the attendant fed them only vegetables instead of the food and wine provided for the others.”
Daniel 1: 8-16
From this passage we witness how Daniel stayed true to his faith and endured the pressures from others. Firstly, he would not eat the food set by the King. Later in Daniel 6, he did not turn away from God when told that he must not pray to anyone but King Darius, but stood strong in his faith that God would protect him. Daniel still did not give in, even when faced with the lions den!
Following the crowd is the easy option but going against the current is far more difficult. When we do not give in to pressures and do not take part in the things of the world, we may experience ridicule or unpleasantness for being different.
But that’s the whole point! As Christians, we are different. We are not of the world, for we are of God. Therefore, we are to be an example of Christ to the world. We must not be weak in our faith and beliefs when we encounter pressures, rather we should be strong and take a stand for what is right.
God Bless 🙂
STEADFAST 