Peer Pressure in the Church | Galatians 5:2-3

Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. — Galatians 5:2-3

CALL OUT: Today's callout goes to Keron Taylor from Sterling, VA, who recently signed up for video access on our website.

Are you feeling the pressure in our culture to conform to practices when they contradict the Gospel of Grace?

We have discovered through Galatians that circumcision was the big issue in these churches. Jewish teachers were putting pressure on non-Jewish new male converts to fit in with the new Christian culture by being circumcised. In the following ten verses, Paul will be very direct about addressing this matter among men.

What I find interesting about this issue is that new converts, and even some well-known believers, are falling for it. They are succumbing to the pressure to conform because they are convinced there is no harm, and it might enhance their relationship with God.

This is evidence that the peer pressure we faced as young teens will manifest into adulthood. Peer pressure never goes away. You don't outgrow it. You are going to experience it everywhere, including in the church. Sometimes, this peer pressure can be good, helping us avoid sinful actions. On the other hand, sometimes it can be bad, leading us toward feelings, beliefs, and actions that are abominable in our relationship with God. The latter is Paul's concern here.

We often succumb to social pressure because we give too much credence to the people who expose certain ideas. For example, let's consider some of the comments made by Whoopi Goldberg just a few days ago on The View. She used one of the Ten Commandments to justify abortion. Obviously, you and I believe her statement is blasphemous. But don't forget some people give Goldberg and the things she says a lot of credence, so much so they will follow her right off the cliff in blasphemy.

And that is Paul's concern here. That new converts are going to follow false teachers right off the cliff into blasphemy.

But did you know there is a way to test when a false teaching or false teacher is pressuring us?

The test is quite simple. Paul presents it in our text, in verse three. It's this: Play the principle out practically. Here is what Paul says:

I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law.

All you need to do is play the concept out. If it plays out and doesn't align with the intended outcomes of the Gospel, then it's not the Gospel. And if it isn't the Gospel, then don't listen to it, don't be pressured to do it, and definitely don't share it with others.

#FreedomInChrist #RejectingConformity #GospelOverCulture #DiscerningTruth #StandingFirm

ASK THIS:

How can we discern between beneficial peer pressure that aligns with the Gospel and harmful pressure that leads us away from Christ?

Reflecting on your own experiences, what are some practical steps you can take to guard yourself against conforming to cultural practices that contradict the principles of grace found in the Gospel?

DO THIS: Test the pressure by playing it out.

PRAY THIS: Lord, help me to stand firm in the truth of your Gospel, resisting the pressures of this world that lead me astray. Grant me discernment to recognize and reject falsehoods, and empower me to live boldly according to your Word. Amen.

PLAY THIS: Pressure.