PEER PRESSURE

Time with Jesus - Thursday, 28 June 2012

Hi all,

Today’s meditation is about Peer Pressure and what it can do to us. Very often it’s a question of “Monkey see, monkey do!” Except that no human being is a monkey! Jesus warned about this in the end times. We want to be like all the other “Christians”. So we succumb to doing what others do and listen to what others say. Check out what people say by looking at God’s Word.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Thursday, 28 June 2012			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
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	INTRODUCTION		DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	PEER PRESSURE
Peer pressure. It’s one of the greatest challenges we will ever face. I started smoking while I was still a schoolboy because all my “mates” were doing it. It’s a bit of a contradiction. Young people want to be different. Different from the rest of society. So they start doing things which are different. In my days it was the “duck-tail” haircut for the boys. Within a short space of time, all our “mates” also had “duck-tail” hair. (Baldness was not a problem for young men in those days) So we end up looking the same as all the others who want to be different. We have it today in our schools. Drugs are taken because everyone else is doing it. We were trying to keep up with the other boys. Today, the girls have sex with the boys because, if they remain virgins, they will be out of step with the other girls in the class. That’s peer pressure! In my matric year, one of the guys got a motor scooter. He used it to and from School. It ignited the “green eyed monster” in us and we all wanted one. Another guy had a “Bubble Car” (remember them?) Almost immediately we also wanted one. One guy got a girlfriend. We all wanted one too! Suddenly, life was all about keeping up with the Jones’ even though the Jones’ didn’t always exist. In Christianity there is a serious problem with peer pressure. Thirty years ago we had the “Name it, claim it and frame it” brigade. Actually it was very presumptuous. On reflection I sometimes wonder whether we were there to serve God or He was there to serve us! We would, stand on the Covenant promises of God and demand He do what we were asking! Things are not grossly different today. The prosperity message has taken the people by storm. So if we have a ministry we must look the part! “Pastors” drive round in flashy expensive cars. They wear silk shirts and expensive suits because “God’s man must never look poor”. He must look prosperous. The fact that he does it at tremendous cost to his flock is thought to be normal. “They may learn from me that God can afford my lifestyle”. Oddly enough, Jesus didn’t do this and He is the Son of God. So charlatans with oratorical ability prey on the flock and acquire great wealth at the expense of the people. It’s reached the point in Limpopo Province evangelists are shunned. Why? Because one man toured the area and told them that if they put a certain amount in the offering, they would be millionaires in three weeks! He left town with their money. Not one of them are millionaires over a year later! This shouldn’t surprise us. Jesus warned about this in the last days. The question is, what are we going to do about it? We can continue to preach the simple Gospel Jesus proclaimed and look out for thieves and robbers. “By their fruit you will know them” said Jesus. So let’s all see what men do rather than what men say! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			1 The Holy Spirit clearly says that in the last days some people will leave the faith. They will follow spirits that will fool them. They will believe things that demons will teach them. 1 Timothy 4:1 NIrV 18 "So pay attention to how you listen! Those who understand these mysteries will be given more knowledge. However, some people don't understand these mysteries. Even what they think they understand will be taken away from them." Luke 8:18 GW 16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16 NASB 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; Ephesians 6:16 ESV 165 Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. Psalms 119:165 TNIV 103 How sweet Your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey. 104 Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life. 105 Nun Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Psalms 119:103-105 NLT 99 I know more than all of my teachers do, because I spend time thinking about your covenant laws. Psalms 119:99 NIrV 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:14 ESV 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. Galatians 1:8 ESV	The Holy Spirit tells us, in the last day’s there’ll be fakes. People who speak “Christian talk” but actually are flakes. They have been deluded; they think that they are right But all the things they say and do are evil in God’s sight. Motivation’s everything in all they say and do. They’re building up their ministry and friend they’re using you. Their motive isn’t Jesus, it’s money in the bank They cast out demons in His name; but who they really thank, Is Mammon and His partners, avarice and greed A big cheque in the offering is what they really need. O yes! They’ll are convincing. And even the “elect” Can easily be turned away. They are an evil sect. We must be very fussy about whom we will hear. Stand aside and look at them and see who they appear. First look at their lifestyle and how they love their mate. If it’s inconsistent, don’t enter a debate. If they truly love the Lord, their Christianity, Will be the sort of lifestyle that Jesus wants to see. Are they rich and flashy and all their people poor? Then get up and leave them. You can be very sure That they are just self-serving. They’re in it for the fame They may all speak of Jesus but it is the devil’s game What about their workers. How much is it they’re paid. It it’s on the ‘bread-line’, be terribly afraid. Get out and get out quickly, or you may be sucked in. And find that you are serving the devil and his sin. If in doubt, don’t do it. From Christ don’t turn away. You’ve had plenty warning your part is to obey. Not the clever orator who has a way with words You’re sure to find his teaching is strictly “for the birds” Check out every statement with what is written down If it isn’t Biblical, get up and leave that “clown”! He may look like an angel all clothed in dazzling light. Just dig a little deeper; his words will have the “blight”. For if you hear a gospel that isn’t what we taught. The Lord Himself will curse him and he will come to naught. So let His Spirit lead you; and you will stay away From all of the false teachers and all the lies they say. Jim Strickland – Written 28th June 2012