For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

– Galatians 1:10

Let’s be honest, keeping your yard looking nice takes a lot of time and effort. In many places, the desired look that people are after runs contrary to the environment they live in. For example, should those living in a more arid or desert area really set an expectation of having a lush green lawn? Or are there better options, more natural options that that particular environment would better sustain? The problem has become one of general influence. Because a standard has been established as to how a homeowner’s yard should look, the majority of people attempt to live up to that standard without even questioning the reasons why. The issue arises when the wants, needs and practicality of a homeowner is replaced by the fear of having the worst looking property in the subdivision. 

Now there is no doubt that yard work and landscaping is a hobby to some. They take great pride in how their lush green grass compliments the meticulously groomed flowers and shrubs they have carefully selected based on colors and shapes. Landscaping rock and brick is laid out in a manner that accentuates and draws in the onlooker. Trees are carefully and systematically planted in spots to add a vertical contrast. And weekly, sometimes even daily, there is a required manicuring and maintenance process. These properties are nice to look at, but unfortunately set false standards within that neighborhood. However inadvertently this standard has been set, it becomes a very overt, green, insurmountable standard.

We can liken this standard to a form of adult peer pressure. Instead of enjoying the process and fulfillment of a “nice” yard, the burden of keeping up with the neighbors becomes a heavy duty many are unable to satisfy.  

This is similar to what can happen in churches. Within our faith, we need to have a solid understanding of God’s Word and who we are in Christ. This establishes our identity as a believer. As silly as relating yard maintenance to adult peer pressure is, Christian peer pressure is a dangerous reality. 

Asking questions needs to be a normal and integral part of our faith. What do I believe and why do I believe it are two of the core questions we need to ask ourselves. We also need to come to a defined and genuine answer to these questions. Too many people align themselves with Christianity simply because in the past there has been a Christian standard. In a more personal aspect, family and friends can greatly influence our idea of Christian identity. There are some who identify as Christian simply because they don’t identify with anything else. There might be a knowledge of who Jesus is and a Bible in the house, but actually following Jesus is abstract and absent. 

Christian peer pressure may influence the desire for a faith description, but there is a defined lack of dedication. Anytime a relationship with Christ is built on anything other than Christ Himself, it produces a false reality of who Christ actually is.

Even the dedicated Christian can easily fall victim to peer pressure. Unfortunately in many churches, good people and good pastors have established a perceived standard of how a Christian should look, talk and act. If not careful, we then begin to measure ourselves against this standard and not the standard of Christ. Why we look, talk and act differently from the world has to be because of the power and fruit of the Holy Spirit in us rather than a man-made standard set before us.