Peer pressure is prevalent in every part of society. We often think of it solely as the invisible force that urges kids to make bad choices or convinces them that they will want kiwi-green streaks in their hair forever. It’s not exclusively an adolescent problem, though. Peer pressure makes grown adults obsess with the appearance of their cars, lawns, and social media feeds.
There is within us an inescapable desire to impress people. It’s easy to filter your life decisions through what others may think. It may seem harmless, but it’s not healthy. Here’s the hard truth: you won’t be able to keep up very long. There will always be a faster car, a greener lawn, and a nicer vacation spot. Never seek your worth in something as subjective as someone else’s opinion. View your value through the eyes of God.
Paul found himself in a tough situation. He has been the golden child in his family and the rising star of his community. He was a well-educated, intensely intelligent, high-ranking religious leader. In the early 1st century, this was the ultimate example of success. Women wanted to date him, and men wanted to be him. However, Jesus changed Paul’s entire life (Acts 7) and flipped his priorities upside down. This radical shift lead his friends and family to quickly change their opinion of him. I imagine his mother would write him letters (this is like an ancient email) urging him to rethink this whole “Jesus thing.”
Paul realized that living for the approval of others was like running on a hamster wheel— sprinting fast while staying stuck. Paul had to completely change the source of his personal worth. Thinking of all this disappointment, he penned this poignant phrase in Galatians, “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ” (1:10).
Paul had to push past the peer pressure and clearly focus on whose opinion truly mattered— God’s. The approval of God matters the most, not man’s. Jesus has set you free from the need for anyone’s approval. Your goal should be to serve God and focus on pleasing Him. Push past the peer pressure that’s demanding you show off the newest sneakers, travel to the most exotic places, and live a life built around likes. It’ll exhaust you and leave you on empty.
Your goal is God’s approval.