Peer Pressure

I was writing a lesson on peer pressure for the upcoming teenage girls' class, when it dawned on me that we never really "grow out of" peer pressure. Even as adults we still experience that pressure. We rename it, "keeping up with the Joneses." I do believe that young people experience more pain from it due to the tenderness of their age.

While we all want to be well thought of or even popular, this can drive us to do something wrong and compromise our principles in order to feel accepted. So why do we?

FEAR

We naturally experience anxiety when we choose to go against the majority when we know they are wrong. We fear embarrassment, loneliness, and being made to feel like an outcast. Jesus even told us in John 15: 19 that that would happen because Christians are not of this world.

The best way to conquer fear is to confront it head-on. Having faith in God can give you that strength. Any one of you, plus God, equals a majority. Don't back down!
See: Phil. 4: 13; Matt. 19: 26; Rom. 8: 31; Matt. 5: 10-12; Jno. 14: 1-3; and Matt. 8: 26.

INFLUENCE FROM SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT

We often mirror what's happening around us--the behavior of other people in our daily environment. I've found that I am susceptible to this. They will influence us either towards good or evil. Consider the following:

1. Solomon, although the wisest man, was heavily influenced by his 700 wives and 300 concubines (sub-wives), who were pagan worshippers (1 Kin. 11: 3-4; Prov. 13: 20; 1 Cor. 15: 33).

2. Ahab's evil wife, Jezebel, caused him to sin and commit evil acts (1 Kin. 21: 25).

3. We often say, "One bad apple spoils the whole bunch." The Bible talks about yeast and bread in the same manner. The point is, it takes just one bad person to start a destructive chain reaction (Luk. 12: 1; 1 Cor. 5: 6-8; and Gal. 5: 7-9).

WE CAN BE LED ASTRAY BY FRIENDS AS WELL

Friends give us a comfortable sense of belonging. However, not all friends are true friends like spoken of in Proverbs 17: 17. Some so-called friends can lead us toward bad decisions and bad behavior that can eventually cause us to be spiritually lost. See Psa. 35: 11-16; 41: 9; 55: 12-14; Prov. 18:24; Matt. 26: 48-49.

CONCLUSION

It's a sad truth, but sometimes we must take stock of our friendships and see which ones to keep and which ones to let go. Usually the ones we should let go will leave on their own once they see you've committed yourself to serving the Lord. It will make you sad, of course, but it's for the best.

Love Ya,
God Bless!