Read Leviticus 17:1 through 22:33
“Everybody else wears strapless dresses. I don’t see why I can’t!”
Mallory felt like smacking her head as she tried to explain the family’s modesty beliefs to her daughter once again. When she grew up, Mallory’s daughter understood and became even stricter with her own children. But as a teenager she wanted to follow the rules dictated by others who didn’t necessarily have God’s ideals in mind.
“You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. Do not follow their practices” (Leviticus 18:3).
Perhaps the Israelites faced the temptation of “everyone does it.” But God had different “house rules” for His people. It is good for us to remember that those of us in the Christian family have a certain set of house rules God has given us in the Bible. Even though we are adults, we still face the “everyone is doing it” syndrome. But that still doesn’t mean it’s right—or acceptable.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: The Israelites were not to give in to peer pressure—and neither are we.
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