A Dangerous Trap

READ: PROVERBS 29:25; ISAIAH 48:17; MATTHEW 16:21-28

Have you ever done something because you were afraid that if you didn’t, someone would be angry or dislike you? I have, more than I want to admit. People’s opinions can have a strong hold on us. Whether it’s our friends, teachers, family members, acquaintances, or fellow church members, we may find ourselves considering what they’ll think before we do something.

At first, it may not seem like a big deal. But in Proverbs 29:25, God warns us, “Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the LORD means safety.” It’s confining to do anything a certain way in order to please others. We may even be afraid to do something God wants us to do. After all, what would people think if you took a leap of faith that was full of risk? What would your friends say if you stopped wearing a certain brand? What would your teacher think if they heard you sharing the gospel with another student?

However, it’s freeing to stop worrying about what others think and start concerning ourselves with what God thinks. This doesn’t mean we throw out common courtesies, never consider someone else’s feelings, or are never held accountable for our actions.

What it does mean is not letting other’s opinions dictate your life but instead letting God direct your actions. When Jesus lived among us on earth, He didn’t let other people make decisions about His ministry. Even under extreme opposition He continued to do the work of His Father, which included dying on the cross to pay for our sins. Jesus was concerned with doing the will of God the Father, even when it meant people would get angry with Him, dislike Him, and kill Him.

We can trust that what God wants is best because He loves us with an everlasting love, and His wisdom and understanding are infinite. Though none of us can follow God perfectly—that is, not until Jesus returns—peer pressure is never a good reason to do something. At the end of the day, what God wants you to do is what matters, not the crowd. • Morgan A. Mitchell

• Whose opinions matter most to you? In what ways are you tempted to default to doing what others want, instead of considering what God wants? Consider taking some time to talk to God about this, confessing any sins that come to mind and resting in His sure forgiveness.

• Who are trusted Christians in your life who can help you navigate peer pressure, dig into God’s Word, and discern how He is calling you to live? (If you want to dig deeper, read John 6:38; Galatians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:4; 1 Peter 3:8-18; Acts 4:18-22; 5:26-42.)

Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the LORD means safety. Proverbs 29:25 (NLT)