The Value of Positive “Peer Pressure”

by Greg Gwin

I wasn't ready to do it yet. I really didn't want to get started at it. But, my neighbor had already mowed his grass two times, and my yard was looking pretty shabby. I figured if he mowed a third time before I mowed the first time, it would really make me look bad. So, even though I wasn't really in the mood, I got the mower out of the garage and went to work.

How often have you been motivated in a similar fashion? Maybe it was at work or at school. Perhaps it was a project or chore that you really dreaded. But someone else did something that made you realize that you needed to get to work.

We often talk about "peer pressure." Most often, we mention it with a negative connotation. In this regard, we are talking about how others can influence us to do evil. We are "pressured" to talk, act, and dress as worldly people do. There is great danger in this, and we have rightfully warned about these negative influences. "Evil companions corrupt good morals" (I Corinthians 15:33).

But, there is a positive side to "peer pressure" that we may be tempted to overlook. When we are around good people who are doing good things, we are motivated to follow their example. We are urged to get busy in the work of the Lord. We are encouraged to live right. We are moved to imitate them and be like them. This is good and helpful.

We are to "exhort one another daily" (Hebrews 3:13) and to "consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works" (Hebrews 10:24). Christian, are you setting a good example for others? Are you motivating them in positive ways? Are you helping your brothers and sisters to be more like God wants them to be? Think!