The Power of Positive Peer Pressure
Years ago there were two great baseball players named Don Taylor and Kirk Gibson. Even in their old age teams would sign them because between the two of them were about 5 championships. Coaches wanted them in the dug out and the locker room because they were winners who pressured the entire team to be winners. They burned to win, and they didn't tolerate losers. Coaches understood the power of positive peer pressure.
The same thing is true in football. In the 1970's it was said that you could become a better player just by putting on a Dallas Cowboys jersey. Why? Because you would be surrounded by winners who didn't tolerate losing attitudes and habits. Men like Randy White, Roger Staubach, Tony Dorsett made everyone better.
Coach Bear Bryant at the University of Alabama understood this well. He said, "If you want to be a winner you must surround yourself with winners."
The power of positive peer pressure is nothing new. Solomon talked about it. Proverbs 13:20 (CSB) says, The one who walks with the wise will become wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm." Proverbs 27:17 (CSB) says, "Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens another."
To be a successful Christian, avoid two common mistakes. First, don't isolate yourself from church. The more you are around your church family, the more they will rub off on you and encourage you to keep growing in Christ. Second, be careful who you choose for your closest friends -- the people you spend the most time with. It's easier to pull someone down than to pull someone up. And no, you are not strong enough to resist their negative influence.
(Inspired by "Peer Pressure," a sermon by Tommy Nelson.")
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