Fear of the Herd

Being afraid of peer pressure can harm you two ways. One is that you are under the power of “the herd” and its grand lack of wisdom. If the herd is under the influence of a fool or a tyrant or a devil, that will become your master.

The other is that you don’t have the power to influence your peers with your freedom. When Jesus sets you free from doubt or fear or pride or the rest of it, if you are afraid of your peers, you don’t have the ability to influence them into the freedom that you are enjoying.

After they called in the apostles and had them flogged, they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them. Then they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be dishonored on behalf of the name. Every day in the temple complex, and in various homes, they continued teaching and proclaiming the good news that the Messiah is Jesus.
(Acts 5:40-42 Holman Christian Standard Bible ©®)