TRACING THE TRUE CHURCH FROM THE BIBLE

 “Now I beg you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it has been declared to me of you, my brethren, by those who are of the household of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now, this I say, that every one of you says, ‘I belong to Paul; I belong to Apollos; I belong to Peter and I belong to Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius, lest anybody should say that I had baptized him in my own name.” – I Corinthians 1:10-14 

Imagine this scenario in the First Century Christianity using Jesus’ twelve Apostles:

1.Paul – Church of Christ.

2.Peter - a Catholic.

3.Matthew - an Anglican.

4.Andrew - a Methodist.

5.John - a Presbyterian.

6.Judas - a Cherubim and Seraphim.

7.Philip - a Pentecostal (father of all Pentecostals).

8.Thomas - a Jehovah’s Witness.

9.James (Son of Zebedee) - a Latter Day Saints.

10.Bartholomew – an Adventist.

11.Simon the Zealot – a Neo Pentecostal.

12.James (Son of Alphaeus) – a Baptist.

 

We all know that this was not true because God is not the “author of confusion” (I Corinthians 14:33). 

There is no gainsaying the fact that we live in an era of multiplicity of Churches. In Nigeria alone there are more than ten thousand independent churches. Conscientious and concerned believers in Christ have had causes to ask: 

1.   Is this this way things were in the First Century during the days of Jesus Christ, His Apostles and Disciples?

2.   What is the Church of the Bible and how can I identify her? 

In the days of the Apostles, the CHURCH was ONE. What we have today is foreign to what obtained then. There were no multiplicity of churches, only a plurality of congregations (Romans 16:16). All the apostles and early Christians stood for “One Faith, One Baptism, One Lord, One Body, One Hope and Father” (Ephesians 4:3-6). They were all enjoined to “Mark and avoid anyone who would seek to cause divisions contrary to the doctrines they had received and to avoid them” (Romans 16:17). They were also enjoined to “contend earnestly for the Faith once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude v.3). 

Understanding the New Testament Church is central to understanding true Christianity. In New Testament Scripture, Church was not an-all-comers affair.    

When Jesus promised to establish His Church, He did not mince words when He said, “I will build my Church” (not “Churches).” Matthew 16:13-18 says: 

“When Jesus came to the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, ‘Who do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, ‘Some say that You are John the Baptist: some, Elijah and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ And Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God. And Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon, Son of John because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you, ‘You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.’” 

The first time the word, “Church” ever occurred in the Bible is in Matthew 16:18. When Jesus spoke, He did not refer to Church in plural sense (“I will build my Churches”), but in singular (“I will build my Church”). This Church started on the Day of Pentecost and has remained so till date. 

In tracing the Church, the Bible speaks of the Church in three forms:

1.   The Church in Prophecy.

2.   The Church in Preparation.

3.   The Church in Existence. 

THE CHURCH IN PROPHECY

The Church in Prophecy was when prophets spoke of the coming kingdom. For instance, Isaiah 2:2 – 3 says: 

“And it shall come to pass in the latter days, that the mountain of Jehovah’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many peoples shall go and say, ‘Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem.” 

In his prophetic declaration, Isaiah said that Jehovah’s House would be built on top of the mountains. God’s House refers to the Church, the “Ground and Pillar of the Truth” (I Timothy 3:15). He further indicated that the Word of Jehovah would spring from Zion (Jerusalem). At Luke 24:46 – 47, we read: 

“And said unto them, ‘Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”   

 

 

Jerusalem was the birthplace of the Church (Acts 1:8; Acts 2:1-5). Not Rome. Not England. Not Nigeria or anywhere in Africa, Europe or Asia. 

THE CHURCH IN PREPARATION

While the Church was in Preparation, Jesus spoke of the coming kingdom. At Mark 9:1, He told some of His disciples who were with Him: 

“…Verily I say to you: some of you who are standing here with me shall not taste of death until you have seen the Kingdom of God come with power.” 

In New Testament, the terms, “Kingdom” and “Church” are used interchangeably. Colossians 1:13 says: 

“Who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.” 

In Acts 1:8, Jesus told His Disciples: 

“You shall receive power when the Holy Ghost comes upon you, and you shall be witnesses of me both in Jerusalem, in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” 

The Church was to start in Jerusalem, and in Jerusalem it started. 

THE CHURCH IN EXISTENCE

The Church in Existence speaks of the Church in Reality. On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Ghost came to inaugurate the Church. Acts 2:1-47 regales us with evidence of what transpired and how, in fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophetic declaration that, “…all nations shall flow unto it” (Isaiah 2:2), sixteen nations were in attendance. Acts 2:41 says that about three thousand souls were saved and became members. In fact, Acts 2:47 says, “Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” 

From Acts 2, the Church has remained in existence till today. However, certain challenges had bedeviled her. There were internal squabbles as well as external interferences (especially persecutions and doctrinal corruptions), which greatly affected her existence and spread.    

BASTARDIZATION OF NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIANITY

The bastardization of New Testament Christianity began with the persecution orchestrated by Emperor Nero, who, in his quest to rebuild the City of Rome had set it on fire. Rather than accept responsibility, he decided to accuse Christians of doing so. This precipitated mass persecution of Christians and Christianity. Several Emperors sustained this policy until Emperor Constantine whose mother was a Christian, but himself was not. It was said that during his military campaign to become the Roman emperor, he saw a sign of the Cross in the sky on his way to Rome under which it was written, “By this conquer.” 

Since the Cross is a symbol of the Christian Faith, he pledged that should he succeed, he would make Christianity a State Religion. He succeeded. As he had pledged, he made Christianity a State religion. By this act, Hell was let loose and Christianity became an all-comers affair. This gave way to State-controlled church, in this case, Roman State-controlled Church. This led to the emergence of Roman Catholicism. Because Rome was the political and military powerhouse of the world then, the empire promoted her own brand of Christianity as against the God-ordained Christianity. In Romish Christianity, the streams of Christianity and Roman paganism flowed together to form a confluence - Catholicism. 

There is no gainsaying the fact that Catholicism is a confluence of Christianity and Paganism. In Catholicism, you find elements of Christianity and paganism. 

While these were happening, True Christians left and continued the practice of New Testament Christianity, albeit in their few numbers. They could not compete with State-sponsored and promoted Catholicism and with the passage of time, continued to dwindle. They were found in various countries and continents across the world. As Jesus had promised, “The Gates of Hades shall not prevail against the Church” (Matthew 16:18c). 

From around 400AD till early 16^th Century, there was spiritual and religious darkness, which permeated the global landscape. Several efforts were made by individuals and groups to cause a renaissance, but were stifled by Romanism. These continued until Protestantism sprang up led by the like of Martin Luther. 

Protestantism opened the space for questions and robust debates. These gave way to the emergence of the Restoration Movement, which sought and seeks to restore the New Testament Church to what she was in the Bible. 

RESTORATION MOVEMENT AND THE CALL FOR NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIANITY

At Jeremiah 6:16, we read: 

“Thus says the LORD, ‘Stand in the ways, see and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.…” 

Going back to the “Old Path” to ask for the “Good way” and to “Walk in it” is God’s call for people to back to how things were.   

Reformation Movement is different from Restoration Movement. The mantra of the Restoration Movement has remained:

1.   “Let the Bible speak.”

2.   “Let us go back to the Bible.”

3.   “Speak where the Bible speaks, and silent where the Bible is silent; call Bible by Bible names and do Bible things by Bible ways.”  (I Pet. 4:11; Isaiah 8:20).

4.   “No creed, but Christ.” 

Restoration of the New Testament Church implies going back to:

1.   Organizational structures.

2.   Doctrinal practices.

3.   Worship patterns.    

God is pattern-oriented. Everything He does is done according to pattern and requires same from those who are to do His Will (Hebrews 8:5). Because the Ark of the Covenant was not carried according to God’s established pattern, but a “New cart” was invented to carry it, God struck Uzzah and he died (II Samuel 6:3-8). The Nation of Israel had to go back to the Scripture to discover the pattern and was able to carry the Ark of the Covenant successfully. I Chronicles 15:13-15 tells us: 

“Because we did not carry it the way the LORD had prescribed at the first time, He was angry at us because we did not seek Him accordingly after the due order. So, the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel.  And the Levites bore the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staves thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of the LORD.”        

If you really want to serve God, serve Him as He commands (cf. Exodus 8:27), not as you wish or as someone else has arranged.   

ORGANIZATION

The New Testament Church is non-denominational. Each congregation is autonomous. There is no central government with an overall human head (No “General Overseer”). No physical headquarter. The Headquarter of the Church is where the Head of the Church is (Philippians 3:20; John 14:3). Jesus Christ is Head of the Church (Ephesians 5:23). 

Each Congregation of the Church of the Bible is led by a plurality of Bishops (Pastors, Presbyters, Overseers, Elders, Shepherds (Philippians 1:1; Acts 14:23). 

DOCTRINAL PRACTICES

The doctrinal stance of the New Testament Church is anchored on the Doctrines of Jesus Christ. II John 9 – 11 says: 

“Whosoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ, does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. Therefore, if anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house, neither bid him Godspeed because anyone who bids him Godspeed is partaker of his evil deeds.” 

The Church is not guided by the teachings of Moses, Old Testament Prophets, the Psalmist, etcetera because those people are no longer speaking for God today. Hebrews 1:1 says: 

“God, who in sundry times and in divers manners spoke in time past to the fathers through the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us through His Son, Whom He has appointed heir of all things and through Whom He also made the worlds.” 

That Jesus is the only One Who speaks for God and whose teachings the Church is guided by today is further reinforced by what transpired at the Mount of Transfiguration. Matthew 17:1-5 tells us:     

“After six days, Jesus took Peter, James, and John, his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain and was transfigured before them. As He was being transfigured, His face shone like the sun, and his clothe became as white as the light. Then Moses and Elijah appeared to them and talked with him. While they were talking, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here: if you want, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them and a Voice out of the cloud, said, ‘This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.’” 

Any doctrine that was not taught by Jesus and His Apostles are not subscribed to by the New Testament Church. For instance, payment of tithes, and the use of musical instruments in worship were not taught by Jesus and His Apostles. 

Tithe Payment

Tithe payment is not a Christian practice, and so the Church does not subscribe to it (Numbers 18:24-26; cf. Hebrews 7:5, 11-12, 16). 

Does the church you attend practice Tithe payment? If she does, then it is not doing God’s Will. 

Musical Instruments

Musical instruments was never God’s idea in worship. He had accused King David of their inventions (Amos 5:23; cf. 6:5), which David accepted he did (I Chron. 15:16; I Chron. 23:5). Acapella (singing without accompaniment of instruments) is the New Testament practice (Matthew 26:30; I Cor. 14:15; Eph. 5:19; Hebrews 13:15). 

Does the church you attend employ the use of musical instruments in her worship? If she does, then it is not doing God’s Will. 

Plan of Salvation

To be saved, the Church follows the Biblical pattern of salvation: Hear the Gospel, Believe the Gospel, Repent of your sins, Confess faith in Jesus Christ and be Baptized into Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins and then added to the Church (Acts 2:47). 

Does the church you attend teach Bible’s Plan of Salvation? If it does not, then she is not doing the Will of God. 

WORSHIP

Worship is the outward expression of an inward sense of praise. Worship is central to the Church’s activities on Earth. The New Testament Church worshipped God daily. Acts 2:42, 46 tell us: 

“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. ... And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart.”   

Elements of the corporate worship life of the New Testament Church include: 

1. Prayer. 2. Teaching. 3. Preaching. 4. Singing. 5. Weekly Observance of the Lord’s Supper. 6. Giving voluntarily to support God’s Work.    

Does the church you attend worship God according to New Testament pattern? If she does not, then she is not doing the Will of God. 

DOES THE NAME OF THE CHURCH YOU ARE A MEMBER MATTER?

What was the first century church called? How were the early disciples designated? Was she called:

1.   Pentecostal even though she started on the Day of Pentecost?

2.   Methodist even though she follows Biblical methods?

3.   Baptist even though she practices Biblical baptism?

4.   Catholic even though she is Catholic (universal) in scope?

5.   Jehovah’s Witness even though she witnesses for Jesus?

6.   Deeper Life even though she encourages people to live deeper Christian life?

7.   Assemblies of God even though she assembles regularly? 

Because Jesus established His Church (Matthew 16:16-18), Purchased Her with His Own Blood (Acts 20:28), and is Head over Her (Colossians 1:18), the Church is not called after the name of a person or a group of persons; the Church is not named after a concept. She practices what He commands and answers the Name of Her Owner. Romans 16:16 says: 

“Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.”  

Why would men set aside Jesus’ Name, and designate themselves by human heroes (example, Lutheran)? Or name themselves after some form of organization (example, Presbyterian)? Or adopt titles according to some individual point of doctrine they espouse (example, Baptist)? 

MY APPEAL TO YOU

Would you not want to be member of the Church of the Bible? Is it not possible today to be a part of the original church without any affiliation to a church organism that has adopted merely some of the elements of Christianity? 

You may be zealous for God, but if your zeal is not backed by knowledge, you are zealously mistaken. Romans 10:1-3 says: 

“Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.” 

Let us go back to Jerusalem where true Christianity began and can be found (Luke 24:47). True Christianity is not found in the church that started in Rome, Germany, America, England, Africa or Nigeria but in Jerusalem!   

God bless you as you make the most important decision of your life today!

“…I WILL GIVE YOU AN EXPECTED END”

 “For I know the thoughts that I think towards you,” says the LORD, “thoughts of peace, not of evil, to give you a future and an expected end.”  - Jeremiah 29:11

 The God we serve is not the Deus absconditus. He is not a god who is detached from His creatures. He is The God Who is daily involved in what involves us.  

 God is interested in your past, heavily interested in your present and extremely interested in your future. He seeks to recreate your past, works hard to renew your present and ever-ready to ready your future. 

 GOD IS CONCERNED ABOUT YOU (Exodus 3:7)

Whatever concerns you concerns God. I Peter 5:7 says,

“Cast all your cares upon him because he cares about you.” 

Job 22:29 

“When men are saying, ‘There is a casting down, you shall say, There is a lifting up….’ ” 

Where others fail, you will succeed. Psalms 84:6 says, 

“Passing through the Valley of Baca, you shall turn it into a spring.”  

 YOU CAN ENJOY GOOD IN LIFE 

At Psalms 27:13, the Psalmist attested: 

“I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” 

You can see as well as enjoy God’s Goodness in land of the living. This is not a promise for the hereafter, but for the here and now. I Timothy 4:8 says, 

“Physical exercises profit little, but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” 

God is not just promising you TOMORROW, He is equally promising you TODAY. 

GOD WANTS YOU TO SUCCEED

Job 8:5-7 says, 

“If you would seek God and make your supplications to the Almighty; if you are pure and upright, surely he will awake for you, and make the habitation of your righteousness prosperous. Though your beginning was small, yet your end shall greatly increase.” 

Psalms 35:27 

“Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yes, let them say continually, ‘Let the LORD be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of his servants.” 

ARE YOU WILLING TO SEE GOOD IN LIFE?

It is one thing for God to have a plan for you, it is another thing for you to enjoy it. To enjoy the plans that God has made, you MUST be WILLING. At Isaiah 1:18-19, God extends an invitation: 

“Come now, and let us reason together,” says the LORD: … If you are willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land. 

There is “good in the land…” There is good in Nigeria. Dangote did not become Africa’s richest man by travelling outside Nigeria. Otedola, Innoson, Coscharis (Cosmas Maduka), Mike Adenuga, etcetera all tapped into the fatness that is in Nigeria. 

JEREMIAH 29:11 – GOD’S EXPRESSION OF HIS DESIRE AND AN INVITATION TO KEY INTO HIS PLANS FOR US

At Jeremiah 29:11, God expresses His overall plan for each of us. However, He is not going to stuff this desire down our throats. We have to work to make it happen. 

God’s desire is God’s Will. When God expresses a desire, we have to set machineries in motion towards its realization. So, when God says, “I am going to bless you,” you do not just sit down and wait for the blessings to come, you have to work to make that blessing a reality. 

At III John verse 2, God says, “Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in good health, even as your soul prospers.” This expression should set our hearts on fire to ensure that we appropriate God’s Word in our lives. 

At II Corinthians 6:1-2, we read that we should partner God to realize His plans for us. It says: 

“As co-workers together with God, we beg that you should not receive the grace of God without using it. For He says, ‘I have heard you in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation I have I helped you. Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation.’” 

GOD HAS THE BLUEPRINT OF YOUR FUTURE, BUT YOU ARE THE ARCHITECT OF YOUR OWN DESTINY 

What and who you are gifts from God, but what and who you become out of what God gave you is your gift back to God. So, grab the opportunity with both hands and make something for yourself. 

God has the blueprint, but you are the architect. God has provided the platform, it is your duty to build on it. II Peter 1:3 says, 

“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.” 

You have the capacity to build the kind of life you desire. Everything is in your hands (Judges 12:3). Here are things you should do: 

1.     You Have To Be Intentional

I recently saw two t-shirts, one was worn by a Christian brother, the other was worn by a stranger. It says, “The purpose of life is to have a life of purpose.” You have to be intentional. 

2.     Develop An Excellent Mindset

To make impacts and be recognized, you need an excellent culture backed by an excellent mindset. This was what distinguished Daniel from others when he was in exile. Daniel 6:3 tells us:

“Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.”  

Let excellence define what you do. When you build a better mouse trap, the world will beat a path to your door. 

3. Avoid Salary Mentality

In entrepreneurship, we say that “Salary is a bribe you receive to abandon your personal vision in pursuit of another person’s vision.” 

There is nothing wrong in seeking employment, but do not make salary-earning your ultimate goal. Set up your own enterprise. Even though, salary is a good place to start, you must, however, realize that salary does not guarantee wealth. Recently, TESLA’s Board voted to pay Elon Musk one Trillion United States Dollars.   

In their book, Start-Up Nation: The Story of Israel’s Economic Miracle, Dan Senor and Saul Singer (2011) say that “Israelis do not go to work to earn, they go to work to learn.” 

4. Volunteer To Work Under A Master of Your Art

For every Moses there was a Joshua; for every Elijah there was Elisha and for every Paul, there were Timothy and Titus. What did all these people have in common? Mentors and Mentees; Masters and Disciples! 

When you are schooled under a Master of your art, you will in turn become a Master. Saul who became Apostle Paul was schooled by a Master, Gamaliel (Acts 22:3) and he became a master himself. Acts 26:24 says: 

“And when he spoke, Governor Festus said with a loud voice, ‘Paul, you are beside thyself; too much learning has made you mad.’ ”   

5. Develop Capacity and Employ Same

To employ your capital is to commercialize it. In his book, Secrets of the Millionaire Mind: Mastering the Inner Game of Wealth, T. Harv Eker (2005:10) wrote, 

“One of my favourite authors, Stuart Wilde, puts it this way, ‘The key to success is to raise your own energy; when you do, people will be naturally attracted to you. And when they show up, bill ‘em!” 

6. Advertise Yourself

You are not in the world to be pitied and served. Your voice is your address. If you do not say, “Here am I” nobody will know where you are and what you can do. 

The world is a noisy market place which requires that you go to the rooftop of your environment and shout your way to people’s attention and interests. 

Advertising yourself and your art are critical to success in life. Do not sit at home waiting for people to come to you. Go where the people are and let them know what you can do. This is the thrust of what we read of at John 7:1-4: 

“After these things Jesus was walking in Galilee, for He was unwilling to walk in Judea because the Jews were seeking to kill Him.  Now the feast of the Jews, the Feast of Booths, was near.  Therefore His brothers said to Him, “Leave here and go into Judea, so that Your disciples also may see Your works which You are doing. For no one does anything in secret when he himself seeks to be known publicly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.”    

You cannot be doing well and not talk about it. Let the world know the stuff you are made of.

CONCLUSION

Do not just go to school, study, graduate and return to wait for non-existing employment. Truth is, there is no work. For this reason, you must take your destiny in your own hands by acquiring a skillset, develop and employ same to work.

 Why be an angel when you can become god?

 I close with the prayer of the Psalmist in Psalms 20:1-5:

 “May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble; may the name of the God of Jacob set you up on high; may He send you help from His sanctuary, and sustain you from Zion. May He remember all your offerings and accept your burnt sacrifices. Selah. May He grant you what your heart desires, and fulfill all your plans. May we shout for joy over your triumph, and in the Name of our God wave our banners; may the Lord fulfill all your petitions.”  (Revised Berkeley Version) 

May God bless us all in Jesus’ Name! Amen. 

DISTRACTIONS OF PEER GROUP

“Now a man from the sons of the prophets said to another by the Word of the Lord, ‘Please strike me.’ But the man refused to strike him. Then he said to him, ‘Because you have not listened to the Voice of the Lord, behold, as soon as you leave me, a lion will kill you.’ As soon as he left him, a lion found him and killed him. Then he found another man and said, ‘Please, strike me.’ And the man struck him, injuring him. So, the prophet departed and waited for the king by the road, and disguised himself with a bandage over his eyes. And as the king passed by, he cried out to the king and said, ‘Your servant went out into the midst of the battle, and behold, a man turned aside and brought a man to me and said, ‘Guard this man; if for any reason he goes missing, then your life shall be forfeited in place of his life, or else you shall pay a talent of silver.’ Now, while your servant was busy here and there, he disappeared.’ and the king of Israel said to him, ‘So shall your judgment be; you yourself determined it.’ ” - I Kings 20:35 - 40

“Now as they were traveling along, he entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His Word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations, and she came up to Him and said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.’ But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” - Luke 10:38 – 42

 

“King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served his father Solomon while he was still alive, saying, ‘How do you counsel me to answer this people?’ Then they spoke to him, saying, ‘If you will be a servant to this people today, and will serve them, grant them their petition, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.’  But he forsook the counsel of the elders which they had given him, and consulted with the young men who grew up with him and served him. So, he said to them, ‘What counsel do you give that we may answer this people who have spoken to me, saying, “Lighten the yoke which your father put on us’?” The young men who grew up with him spoke to him, saying, “Thus you shall say to this people who spoke to you, saying, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, now you make it lighter for us!’ But you shall speak to them: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s loins! Whereas my father loaded you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.’”  - I Kings 12: 6- 11

 

I Kings 20:35-40 speaks of a man who was Distracted by certain infinitesimal activities that he forgot to attend to his core assignment of watching over a particular target and then lost favour with his Master, thus, he paid dearly for it.

Luke 10:38 – 42 speaks of Martha, Mary and Jesus. While Mary sat to soak in the Words of eternal life, which flowed from our Master’s lips, having “Chosen the good part,” her sister, Martha was “Distracted” by unnecessary preparations.

I Kings 12:6-11 regales us with the foolish decision of young King Rehoboam who jettisoned the counsel of elderly and experienced men and opted for the advice given to him by his peers, “The young men who grew up with him.” This led to the ultimate disintegration of the Nation of Israel, thus Balkanizing the once united Nation into Southern and Northern Kingdoms. This singular action negated the Cause of the Nation and tampered with destinies of many generations, a challenge the Nation of Israel still grapples with till now.   

 This lecture explores how peer groups can distract young adults, impacts of these distractions, and practical ways to overcome them. 

 WHAT AND WHO IS A PEER?

According to Webster’s Dictionary, a Peer is a “person of equal standing with another, especially a person who belongs to the same social group, based on age, grade, or status.”

 

Simply stated, “Peers” refer to age mates (not necessarily of the same age, but people of the same age bracket) or contemporaries. These are people a person can easily identify with. I Kings 12:8 speaks of, “The young men whom King Rehoboam grew up with him.”   

 People are naturally drawn to their peers because it gives them sense of belonging. At Luke 7:32, Jesus made allusion to peers when He said: “They are like children playing a game in the public square. They complain to their friends, ‘We played wedding songs, and you didn’t dance, so we played funeral songs, and you didn’t weep.” (New Living Translation).

 Because of the importance of peer groups, society recognizes the power and influence they exert on their members. This explains why we have “Peer Educators,” “Peer Reviews,” etcetera. The influences they seek to exert on themselves are referred to as “Peer Pressures” whether negative or positive.   

WHAT IS PEER PRESSURE?

In Sociology as well as in Psychology, people speak of Extrinsic and Intrinsic factors of motivation. Peer pressure, therefore, is the Extrinsic (outside an individual) influence which is brought to bear on the Intrinsic (within an individual) to make him or her do something (positive or negative) that he/she ordinarily would not want to do. Professor Elizabeth Hartney, a Canadian professor of Psychology, in her definition of Peer Pressure corroborates with this assertion when she wrote that “Peer pressure is the process by which members of the same social group influence other members to do things that they may be resistant to, or might not otherwise choose to do.”

 Speaking on how people allow themselves to be pressured, Jeff Moore, an American motivational speaker, educator and author wrote: “Peer pressure is the pressure you put on yourself to fit in!”

 Proverbs 22:24 - 25 encourages young people not to allow themselves to be negatively pressured. It says: 

“Do not make friends with a hot tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways, and get yourself ensnared.” 

Peer pressure is the tendency to belong, to be like everybody and to be accepted. This tendency has far-reaching implications. This is why Exodus 23:2 enjoins us: “Do not join a multitude to do wrong.”        

POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE PEER PRESSURES

We tend to hear more about negative effects of peer pressure, but the reality is that peer pressure can also be positive. For instance, two friends might put pressures on themselves to work harder towards achieving their respective goals in life, study harder, serve God more faithfully and become spiritually more responsible. 

Negative peer pressure causes people to do things they would not otherwise do with the hope of fitting in or being noticed. Negative peer influence seeks to erode a person’s values:

1.       Under these, a person loses touch with reality. Rather than go for what is beneficial, such a person settles for what is destructive. 

2.  Under negative peer influences, right becomes wrong and wrong becomes right. 

3.   Under negative peer influence, God’s kind of morality takes backseat while Satan’s immorality assumes centre-stage. 

4.       Under negative peer influences, people eat poisoned fruits and drink poisoned wines, thinking that they are safe, not knowing that they are being destroyed. 

WHAT IS DISTRACTION?

Webster’s dictionary defines Distraction as “Something that directs one’s attention away from what is important.” A. W. Tozer defines Distraction as “Something that knocks us off course, takes off our focus and distracts us from our objectives.” 

In her article, “21 Bible Verses About Distractions And Ways To Overcome Them,” Demetra Muingbeh (2021) observed that distractions can come in the form of people, things, specific places or environments, circumstances, thoughts, or temptations. She then provided some examples: 

1.    You decide to return to school to get an IT certification, and a good friend you have not seen in years moves to your area. Distracting you from your studies, you start hanging out 3 to 4 times a week.  Then you get your first semester results, which show you are failing half of your classes. You finally decide to quit your job so you can put all your time into developing your own business.  But then, you get a job offer from a company offering you N500, 000. 00 more yearly than you were making. Distracted from your actual goal of working for yourself and earning six figures, you take the job offer instead.  

2.    You decide to write a book with the vision that God gave you.  You receive negative feedbacks after discussing the idea with a few friends and family members. Negative thoughts overwhelm your mind, and you never pick up a pen again. 

3.    You decide to start a blog, but every technical issue imaginable arises. Distracted by discouragement, you give up completely.  

4.    You set a goal to lose 20 pounds and have your diet plan and exercise routine all mapped out.  But your roommate constantly fills the fridge with snacks and comes home with fast food. You give in and end up gaining 20 pounds instead. 

She then observed, “Distractions can come in ways we least expect, from people we do not expect, and at times, we are not expecting. They can end up costing us time, happiness, peace, relationships, money, and success. Distractions can lead to wrong directions, missed opportunities and missed blessings.” 

PEER GROUPS AND DISTRACTIONS

The Bible speaks of people as huge sources of distractions. Sometimes, these distractions are on purpose. This was the case of Sanballat, Geshem and Nehemiah. At Nehemiah 6:2 - 4, we read: 

“So Sanballat and Geshem sent a message asking me to meet them at one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But I realized they were plotting to harm me, so, I replied by sending this message to them: ‘I am engaged in a great work, so, I can’t come. Why should I stop working to come and meet with you?’ This they did four times and answered them the same.” (New Living Translation) 

Sometimes we allow what people think about us, or the approval we seek from them to distract us. In this case, we should work to adopt the mindset that the Apostle Paul had. At Galatians 1:10, Apostle Paul wrote: 

“Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.” (New Living Translation) 

We have to avoid certain people or relationships, especially if we know it would hinder our walk with God and distract us from our individual objectives.  

YOUNG PEOPLE AND Peer GroupS

There is no gainsaying the fact that peer groups play significant roles in the lives of young people. This is because young people are looking for acceptance as well as senses of belonging. In view of this, they are exposed largely to negative peer influences. 

While positive peer influences can encourage growth, motivation, and healthy behaviours, negative peer influences can become major distractions that derail personal development, academic success, and future prospects. 

HOW PEER GROUPS DISTRACT YOUNG PEOPLE

In a lecture delivered recently, Dr. Mike Udam x-rays the negative effects of peer groups on young people: 

1.    Negative Peer Pressure 

Young adults may feel pressured to conform to behaviours that are harmful or counterproductive, such as substance abuse, skipping classes, or engaging in risky activities. The desire to fit in can lead to poor decision-making and a loss of individuality.  

2.    Distraction from Goals 

Spending excessive time socializing or trying to impress peers can take focus away from academic, career, or personal goals.  Young adults may prioritize short-term gratification over long-term successes.  

3.   Spread of Misinformation 

Peer groups can perpetuate myths, misinformation, or unhealthy attitudes about education, relationships, or life choices. This can lead to misguided decisions and a lack of critical thinking.  

4.   Encourages Laziness 

If a peer group values leisure over hard work, young adults may adopt a lazy or unmotivated mindset. This can result in procrastination, missed opportunities, and underachievement.  

5.   Emotional and Mental Strains 

Toxic peer relationships can lead to stress, anxiety, and low self-esteem.  The fear of rejection or judgment can prevent young adults from pursuing their true interests or expressing their authentic selves.  

Impacts of Peer Group Distractions 

Again, Dr. Udam x-rays the impacts distractions have on young people: 

1.    Academic Underperformance 

Distractions by peer groups can lead to poor attendance, lack of focus, and lower grades. Young adults may neglect their studies to spend time with friends and end up not excelling academically.  

2.    Career Setbacks 

A lack of focus on skill development or professional growth can hinder career prospects. Peer pressure to prioritize social life over work or internships can delay career advancement.  

3.    Financial Irresponsibility 

Peer pressure to spend money on trendy items, parties, or social activities can lead to poor financial habits and debt. Young people may struggle to save or invest in their future due to the influence of their peer groups.  

4.    Loss of Identity 

Constantly trying to fit in with a peer group can cause young people to lose sight of their values, passions, and goals. This can lead to a lack of direction and fulfillment in life.  

5.    Health and Emotional Risks 

Engaging in unhealthy behaviours to impress peers, such as smoking, drinking, or drug use can have long-term physical and mental health consequences.  The stress of maintaining toxic friendships can also take a toll on emotional well-being.  

WAYS TO OVERCOME DISTRACTIONS BY PEERS 

1. Appreciate Who You Are

Appreciate who you are. Do not allow anyone to diminish or depreciate you. At Psalms 139:14, King David wrote: 

“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are your works; and that my soul knows too well.” 

You are special. You are unique. You are beautiful/handsome. You are made in the Image and Likeness of God. There are no two people like you in the world. Sinach, the Nigerian rave-making Gospel singer was right when she sang, “I know who I am.”   

When you know who you are, you should not compare yourself with others. Comparing yourself with others is an indication of low self-esteem. This will make you susceptible to peer pressure, which will lead to distractions. II Corinthians 10:12 says: 

“We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.” 

2. Identify What Distracts You (Hebrews 12:1)

In order to fix a problem, we have to identify the problem. We do this by identifying everything that hinders or distracts us. So, to overcome distractions, you must specifically identify who and what distracts you. At Hebrews 12:1, Scripture enjoins us: 

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (New International Version) 

3. Avoid Becoming Like the Jones and the Joneses (I Samuel 8:4-5). 

“Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel in Ramah, and said to him, ‘Behold, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways: now make for us a king to judge us like all the nations around us.’ ”

Avoid the temptation to “Measure up” and become like the “Jones and the Joneses;” to align with peers; to hang out with the hood.

One of the most negative forces which our environment exerts on us is through our peers. Because of our deep quests for senses of belonging and fulfillment, we, sometimes want to become like the people around us. That was Israel’s error.

Christians are separate from the world around them and should remain so (John 17:14-16; II Corinthians 6:14-18). We should not crave to be like the people around us, but should make efforts to establish and maintain our distinctiveness as “People of God’s pleasure” (I Pet. 2:9-10).

The world around you does not have meaningful things to offer, but riotousness and vanity. As a Christian, you should become a role model, not vice-versa. The mould which contains the world should not contain you. Dr. Seuss, an American author, illustrator and artist asked, “Why fit in, when you were born to stand out?” An anonymous writer advised, “Don’t force yourself to fit in where you don’t belong.”

4. Get Ahead of Your Peers by Increasing Your Capital (Ecclesiastes 10:10).

“If the iron be blunt, you exert more energy, but wisdom is profitable to direct.”

People are easily influenced negatively because they cannot measure up. In view of these, they look up to those they feel are doing better than them. In the course of seeking validations and associations of these people, they become negatively influenced. On the flipside, when you are the person doing better, people look up to you and rather than being negatively influenced by them, you now positively influence them. Why? Because you hold the key. You determine who comes in and who goes out. To become the Odogwu, you would need to stay ahead by increasing your capital.

When you lack capacity, you would become susceptible to distractions and manipulations by others. Alexander Hamilton, America’s First Secretary of the Treasury, lawyer, scholar and military commander was right when he wrote, 

“Those who stand for nothing, fall for anything.” 

To avoid falling for anything, you must build and strengthen your capacity. Your capacity is your capital. It is the key you need to survive and thrive.

You should be a person of KNOWLEDGE. The word “Knowledge” comes from the root word - “Know” and “Edge,” meaning that the knowledge you have is what determines your edge in life. Knowledge and its proper application is a major success-factor in life.

Capacity-building is increasing your ability to become relevant in social, economic, spiritual and professional scheme of things.

Everything about capacity-building is skills’ acquisition and skills’ utilization. So, seek to acquire skills. It is your skills that will locate you (Proverbs 22:29).

Why Build Your Capacity?

1.    Capacity-building keeps you ahead of your peers and competitors.

2.    Capacity-building is sharpening yourself (Ecclesiastes 10:10).

3.    Capacity-building is understanding your Unique Selling Points (USP) – knowing what you have that others do not have and knowing what you can do that others cannot do or do them the exact way that you do them. It is knowing what makes you different, what you can do differently to add value to people and positioning yourself strategically.

 

Capacity-building breeds poly-functionality. Your ability to switch from a mono-functionality mode to a poly-functionality one gives you the edge and makes you a role model. 

5. Do not be a youth who lacks judgment (Proverbs 7:6-7)

Proverbs 7:6-7 provides for us the profile of a youth who lacks judgment. He was a moral weakling who could not say, “NO!” to the amorous invitation of a degenerate: a sweet-talking, immorally-enticing person to wine, dine and  have a fill of the sweet poisons of immorality, unknown to him that he was on his way to the slaughter house and on the path to eternal destruction (Proverbs 7:21-23). 

What kind of youth are you? Are you easily distracted or pressured to do what obviously you know is wrong or are you a person of strong moral fibre? Are you easily swayed by the sweet nothings of what you hear and see? Do you have judgment or do you lack judgment? 

Knowing who you are is important because who you are places you where you belong. What you do defines who you are. If you are chaste, then you belong to the class of youths that God is counting on for His use, but if you are not chaste, then you certainly do not count on God’s economy. 

God is seriously looking for and recruiting youths who He intends to mobilize for the end-time harvest (II Timothy 2:19-22). Are you that youth that God is looking for? 

God Has Regards For Youths With Judgment

God respects integrity and honours faithfulness. Throughout known human history, God has been in search of young men and women with strong moral characters who would stand in the gap (cf. Ezekiel 22:30). A careful study of Scripture reveals that when youths maintain strong moral purity, they become tools in God’s Hands. Examples abound: 

Joseph

Because Joseph had judgment, he refused to be pressured by Portiphar’s wife (which would have given him access to anything in his master’s household). However, knowing that it was a sin to sleep around with someone not his wife and recognized sin for what it was, not by the definitions of his friends and peers (Genesis 39:7-12), God made great use of him.     

Moses

Because Moses had judgment, he refused to do what others were doing as well as having refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin (Hebrews 11:24-26), God made great use of him.      

Daniel and Friends

Because Daniel and friends had judgment, they made up their minds not to soil themselves with the King’s food, resisted the pull and push to compromise their faith and practice in a foreign land where no one knew them except God (Daniel 1:8-9), God gave them favour with which they excelled and were greatly used by Him.

 Mary

Because Mary had judgment, she was chaste. She overcame the moral decay around her and refused to trade her precious asset (virginity). Because of this, she was chosen amongst women to be the human channel through which our Lord Jesus would come into the world (Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:26-35).

 The list is a long one!

To avoid moral recklessness amounting to lack of judgment, youths must avoid going out with “sons and daughters of the land” (cf. I Corinthians 15:33). If Dinah had not gone out with daughters of the land, she would not have been robbed of compromised her morality (Genesis 34:1-2). Dinah was one youth who lacked judgment.

 CONCLUSION 

Peer groups can be a powerful influence in the lives of young people, but they do not have to be a distraction. By choosing the right friends, setting clear priorities, and focusing on personal growth, young people can overcome negative peer pressures/distractions and stay on track to achieve their goals. 

 The key is to stay true to yourself, surround yourself with positive influences, and remember that your future is more important than fleeting social approval. By taking control of your social environment, you can unlock your full potentials and build a life of purpose and success. 

____________________

Hilary Johnson Chukwuma Chukwurah (Evangelist) worships with Church of Christ, New Haven Extension, New Haven, Enugu, Enugu State. He can be contacted via: +234 803-959-6919. He can also be reached through hilaryjohnsonc@gmail.com.