Tuesday, October 4 – Acts 11:20-21

But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks as well, preaching the good news of the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.

The right thing is often easier said than done. As children grow, we teach them about the dangers of peer pressure because we know from experience how difficult it can be to make a different choice than everyone else. We may recognize that following the crowd often stunts maturity and spiritual growth, yet peer pressure is still alluring. For these men, speaking to the Greeks meant stepping out of their comfort zone and following the conviction they saw in God’s Word. The change wasn’t immediate, but each person sought faithfulness to the Lord in sharing with others even when it meant being different.

As we seek God and get to know Him through His Word, we don’t have to look over our shoulders to see what everyone else is doing. We can walk with our brothers and sisters in Christ, growing together instead of comparing ourselves to them. If God has placed a neighbor on your heart, serve them. If God has convicted you of your need to reconcile with a family member, start a conversation with them. When you live life in the Spirit, being changed by God’s Word, you live on mission as He calls you. What is your next step of obedience today?

• How have you been influenced by others around you?
• What would it look like to walk in confidence in God’s Word even when it goes against the crowd?
• Pray and ask God to help you grow in His Word instead of being overwhelmed with comparison.