"Everyone's Doing It"

A few weeks ago, I had a conversation with a friend who said she enjoyed peer pressure. When I asked her why, her response was "Well, at least you get to do what everyone else is doing."

Needless to say, I was horrified. Although some peer pressure may be good - like teaching you to have more self-confidence, helping you grow, et cetera - most of it will lead you the wrong way.

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Everyday, teenagers face struggles brought on by media, peer pressure, and other factors. Everyday, culture tries to influence us by presenting something that looks "good."Almost all teenagers will accept anything, try anything, and do anything that will put them in the "cool crowd." Ask them why, and you'll get the same answer - "everyone's doing it."
Often, we Christians blend in with the rest of the crowd, going with the flow, and allowing ourselves to be influenced by our friends and by our culture. Often, we make excuses and say "everyone else is doing it, so it can't be wrong", yet deep down inside, we know that what we're doing is not right.

Romans 12:2 says:"And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind..."

It means that we shouldn't adapt to the low standards of our culture, but rather, we should live as we had been transformed when we received Christ.Ephesians 4:23, 24 says that we need to put on the "new us" created to be like God.
I admit that I find it easier to do what everyone else is doing and go where everyone else is going. Nevertheless, I am constantly reminded that I need to live like Jesus; that I need to take a stand and be different; and that I need to go the opposite - but right - direction.
It's so easy to go with the flow. It's so easy to follow the crowd. That's not what God wants us to do, however. He wants us to do what is right in His eyes, even if that means turning your back to the crowd.
Before I end, there's a true story I'd like to share:
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A college freshman at the University of Arkansas banded together with another Christian friend or two and pledged Sigma Alpha Epsilon (a social fraternity). This particular fraternity was notorious for its wild and crazy reputation. But these young Christian men were on a mission. They began praying for their "brothers." They modeled the Christian life and shared their faith. Four years later, when these two men graduated, there were some 50-60 Christians in the chapter!

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See what a difference those Christian men made!If we tried to be different, if we went against the flow, if we did things not because "everyone's doing it" but because God want us to, then we'd make a difference.
Don't blend with the background. Stand out. Be different. Go against the flow.