Genesis 12:11
"And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon:"
Egypt is a picture of the world. It seems as if the world's intimidation has been a problem from the very beginning. Because of a famine in Bethel, Abram left to go to Egypt. Before he arrived in Bethel, he told his wife to tell people that she was his sister because he was afraid they would kill him to have her. Amazing, when you consider that God had provided for him for his whole life. Amazing, when you consider God's guidance from the time he left the Ur of the Chaldees. Yet, the intimidation of the world affected Abram, a man known for his faith in God.
The world has long made its affect on Christians through intimidation. You must realize that intimidation is all that the world can do. The world has no history to show for what it offers. In fact, when you look at the world's history, you see that it is filled with heartbreak, sorrow, broken lives and regrets. Everything the world offers is a smokescreen for what it actually gives. There is no reason a Christian should ever be intimidated by the world.
Christian, don't let the world intimidate you with their education. The world will often flaunt their educational degrees at Christians to intimidate them into believing that their education is inferior. You see Christian schools competing with the world's education system, when if you compared the graduates from the world to the Christian school, it is often laughable. Don't tell me that creationism is inferior to evolution. Don't tell me that liberalism is superior to the truths of God's Word. We could go on and on, but all I'm trying to get you to see is that you should not be intimidated by the world's education. Their education is not superior to the truths of God's Word.
Furthermore, don't let the world intimidate you with their lifestyle. The world's lifestyle is not as pleasurable as they would like you to believe. They try to intimidate you into believing that God's lifestyle keeps you from having fun. Consider the end of the world's lifestyle compared to the end of God's lifestyle. Don't tell me that abstinence is inferior to losing your purity. Don't tell me that drugs and alcoholic lifestyles are superior to being clean and having a clear mind. Don't tell me that partying with the world is better than having a happy family. The only reason the world will try to intimidate you into living their life is because they know their life does not produce happiness.
The only reason the world's intimidation works is because Christians are not confident in the ways of the LORD. If you were truly confident that what you were doing is right, then no level of intimidation would ever influence you. The only way you are going to build your confidence in the LORD's way of living is through reading and living the Scriptures. You will build your confidence in the LORD's way of living by watching the LORD answer your prayers. You will build your confidence in the LORD by remembering what the LORD's way has done for you.
I challenge you today to stop letting the world lure and intimidate you into following their pathway. Stop cowering to the world and look at what the world has done to others. Consistently remind yourself of what the LORD has done for you. When you do this, you will find the intimidation of the world will not influence you.