Many years ago a man by the name of Asch performed a memorable study. The study brought in groups of people to answer very simple multiple choice questions vocally in front of a group. The answers to the questions were obvious, but the objective of the study was actually to test the power of peer pressure. In each study group all of the participants were planted except one participant who was the focus of the study. The planted individuals intentionally answered the question wrong in an attempt to influence the lone participant. 

These groups were large enough to pressure the study participants to follow the answers of the group. The lone participant in each group did not know that every other participant was pre-picked and told to answer the question incorrectly. In some cases six participants answered a question incorrectly, which would put significant pressure on the final participant to answer the simple question incorrectly.

Here were the fascinating results of the Asch study. Thirty-three percent of the time the random participant chose to go with the wrong answer despite knowing what the right answer was. The second fascinating conclusion was that 75% of the participants chose at least one wrong answer despite knowing the right answer. I share Asch’s results and conclusions with you as a reminder of how difficult it is to have courage. In this very simple study, only 25% of the participants truly passed the courage test. 

Unfortunately in life, many of us fail to pass the courage test. I know I have failed the test on many occasions. Life’s test of courage is not easy, and it is not meant to be easy because God is proving us. God is watching and hoping that we will pass the test knowing we will need to utilize His strength to pass with power. He has said, “And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them” (Abraham 3:25).