The Proverbs Series: Peer Pressure
Walking the Wise Path to the Good Life
Dear #DailyFollower,
Introduction
I trust you’ve had a fantastic start to the week.
We continue our journey through Proverbs today with thoughts about the age-long subject of peer pressure.
Before I go into that, let me do a quick recap for someone joining this journey today.
We started with an introduction to Proverbs, where the author, King Solomon, lays out the purpose for his contemplations: to teach us wisdom and self-control, as both would help us in our journey to the good life.
Then, we moved on to the first piece of wisdom shared—familiar wisdom. Solomon encouraged us to listen (hear and obey) and not ignore the teachings and instructions we receive from our parents, as they carry wisdom that shapes our lives for beauty and honour.
You’re all caught up. Let’s dive into King Solomon's next piece of wisdom for us.
The Text
Proverbs 1:10-16, EXB
10 My ·child [son], if sinners try to ·lead [seduce; entice] you into sin, do not follow them.
11 They will say, “Come with us. Let’s ambush and kill someone;
let’s attack some innocent people just for fun.
12 Let’s swallow them alive, ·as death does [like the grave/Sheol]; let’s swallow them whole, ·as the grave does [like those who go down into the pit].
13 We will ·take [find] all kinds of ·valuable things [precious wealth] and fill our houses with ·stolen goods [plunder].
14 ·Come join us [Throw in your lot with us], and we will share ·with you stolen goods [a single bag (of loot)].”
15 My ·child [son], do not go ·along with them [on their path]; ·do not do what they do [keep your foot from their way/path].
16 ·They are eager to do evil [For their feet run toward evil] and are quick to ·kill [shed blood].
Some Thoughts
The pressure to feel a part of the rave or trend has always been an age-long struggle for humans across generations. Hence, it is the next piece of wisdom Solomon shares with His son because the pressure is real! Sadly, his son, Rehoboam, didn’t heed this advice, and he lost 10 tribes of Israel in a revolt against his rulership (1 Kings 12:1-14, EXB).
The age of digital media (news and social) has only amplified the power of peer pressure. Eliminating the barriers of distance and proximity increases the magnitude of the pressure we feel daily exponentially. In most cases, the pressure does not tend to bring out the best versions of us.
The wisdom here seems simple: do not follow or go along with peers who don’t call out your best virtues; do not do what they do. Yet it is one of the most challenging things to do, as we all face the irrational fear of missing out or being left out.
One Question To Ponder
Do I have a friend who consistently gets me to bring out my worst instincts in our interactions?
If you do, this is the friend King Solomon says you need to avoid. Christ also needs you to avoid this friend as a daily follower, as a relationship with this friend might bring temporary gains of “a single bag of loot“ that prevent the abundant life that comes with our promise of a good life from God.
Conclusion
The simplicity of King Solomon’s inspired words will make them seem like common-sense advice that should be doable—until we try and fail woefully at them.
After multiple failed attempts not to follow my peers in doing the wrong things and almost giving up the fight for the good life, I found Christ - God’s biggest revelation of wisdom, and the peer (as we are joint heirs with Him, Romans 8:16-17, AMPC) who I allow to influence me.
The only peers who can influence me today are those already peers with Christ.
I hope you have peers like that; if not, you are welcome to find some in the Daily Followers community.
Till tomorrow, when we continue this journey in the Book of Proverbs, keep meditating on these words.
Yours faithfully,
John, a #DailyFollower.
If you want to make 2025 a year of deeper communion with God, you should consider subscribing to receive the #DailyFollower newsletter. Hit the button below to subscribe.
You likely know someone close to you who wants deeper communion with God in 2025. Please share this newsletter with them by hitting the button below.