But what will everyone think? We ask this question when we fear our actions will cause others to think less of us. Peer pressure acts like an invisible hand guiding us toward socially acceptable behavior and away from those deemed negative. It can even shape our identity as we think about who we are. Will we conform or be seen as a rebel?
Peer Pressure for Joseph
Joseph and Mary were engaged to be married. In their society, this agreement was as binding as marriage is in ours. Generally, the engagement was for a year, and the man and woman continued to live with their parents until the marriage. So, when Mary returned to Nazareth from Elizabeth’s and was obviously pregnant, Joseph knew the baby was not his. Since he was righteous and wanted to do what was right, he decided to divorce Mary quietly.
But God gave him another option: marry Mary. If Joseph did this, others would assume the baby was his. There was a significant social stigma for a woman to be pregnant before marriage, and Joseph would share that shame by marrying her. Yet, that was what God was asking him to do.
Matthew 1: 20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. [1] Joseph is a model of obedience for us; despite the dishonor he would bring on himself, he did just as God said. Matthew 1: 24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife.[2]
God Values Obedience
Joseph continued to be righteous and did what was right. He did not question God or hesitate. He showed great self-discipline in shouldering dishonor and not having any sexual relations with Mary until after the birth of Jesus. Mary would need someone to provide for and protect her in that culture, and Joseph filled that role.
Joseph didn’t argue but did just as God said. Even though his obedience would bring disgrace in the eyes of others, he obeyed God’s direction. This was the same for Peter. Acts 5: 29 But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.[3]
Sometimes, we avoid what God may be asking because of what others might think. What if the relatives and neighbors think we are loony tune Christians? We must be like Joseph and choose to obey what God is asking instead of seeking the approval of those around us. Deuteronomy 28:1If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully keep all his commands that I am giving you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the world. 2 You will experience all these blessings if you obey the Lord your God. [4] Don’t fear what others think of you and your faith journey. Don’t even ask, “but what will everyone think?” Fear God and obey Him. To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/a-dream-reveals-the-truth
[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.