Profound Mystery: Marriage Lessons From EphesiansSample

Your Friends

“If your friend jumped off a bridge, would you follow?”

Many exasperated parents have raised this question to their children over the years. It is designed to highlight that which should be obvious: peer pressure can often cause people to make stupid decisions. 

While it is easy to see the impact of peer pressure on others, noticing it in your own life is often harder. Ephesians 5:7-10 warns believers to no longer be “partners” with sexually immoral, impure, or covetous people. The word for “partners” can also be translated as co-participant or partaker. 

This doesn’t mean that we must break off all ties with our old friends, but it does mean the nature of our relationships must change. If our old friends are living a lifestyle contrary to God, we can no longer participate the way we once did. We may need to excuse ourselves from certain situations. This is not to project a “holier than thou” attitude, but rather to ensure that our presence influences our friends for their good and not the other way around. 

This means asking ourselves some tough questions. 

Are you married but still hanging out with guys who are on the prowl? How will their behavior affect your thought life? What temptations will you expose yourself to? 

Do you spend time commiserating with girlfriends about how clueless men are? How will that impact your ability to be thankful? What positive qualities will you start to overlook as a result?

The company you keep matters. 

Find couples whose walk with God is strong and whose marriages you admire. Then spend as much time with them as you can. Invite them over for dinner. Arrange play dates between your kids. Join a marriage group at church or start one yourself. Find ways of hanging out with mature believers who are walking with God and can help you to “walk as a child of the light,” as well.

When your friends are more interested in your walk with God and the strength of your marriage, you’ll know you’re keeping the right kind of company.

Pray: Lord, give me the wisdom to know which of my relationships are helpful and which ones are harmful. Help me to develop friendships that will help me to draw closer to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen

For more listen to, “Resisting Peer Pressure” on FamilyLifeToday.com.