PEER PRESSURE: what the bible says!

What is peer pressure?

• it affects both old and young alike,but most likely young people
• it is pressure put on someone by his peers,a person of the same age group,status or abilities
  
  Source

There are two types of peer pressure;
The positive: pressure to do good things, right things.eg
When you are friends with the smartest girl in school, there is a tendency for your grades to improve!
Or when you join bible study class,your become alot more knowledgeable about God.

The negative: pressure to bad things, wrong things eg
a boy at school want to be accepted by the “cool” group and they smoke ciggerettes, he will have to smoke to be part of them and to look 'cool'

There is a saying that goes"show me your friends and I will tell you who you are"
Although this quote is not a 100% accurate because there are situations were two totally different people in character and way of life become friends, and the good one refuse to be influenced negatively (which takes a lot of will by the way) but rather his good character start rubbing off on the other person.

Source

Why do people give into peer pressure?

• They want to fit in
• They are worried that others make fun of them if not go along with group
  -some join out of curiousity, because “everyone is doing it” so why not!
• personal gain to get a job, promotion,girlfriend or boy friend
• popularity
• To have friends, loneliness, etc

Peter gave into peer pressure so he would fit in with distinguished Jews
Gal 2:11-12
11 When Peter came to Antioch, I told him to his face that I was against what he was doing. He was clearly wrong.
12 He used to eat with the Gentiles. But certain men came from a group sent by James. When they arrived, Peter began to draw back. He separated himself from the Gentiles. That’s because he was afraid of the circumcision group sent by James.

Some adults drink at the office and go to bars with the boss and co-workers alike to get a raise, get a promotion etc
Some kids drink and do drugs so other kids like them, fit into group, not made fun of etc.

Source

What does the Bible say about peer pressure?
Peer pressure is a form of temptation, Scriptures on temptation are applicable to peer pressure
“A study of sexually active college students shows that 75% of both
men and women had unwanted intercourse due to either

• Peer pressure
• coercion
• intimidation
  all led the students into situations they later regretted.

“Alcohol and drug abuse is the number one health problem among alot on teenagers.Especially students in colleges and universities, these effect their academic and sometimes causes a student who is hooked to dropout.

Source

Techniques of overcoming peer pressure
-Choose Your Friends With Care
1 Cor10:13
"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."

you can do it,you can overcome it! peer pressure is not new, others have overcomed it, God provides a way its
a matter of will there’s always a way to get out of it

If bullies at school are trying to get you to pick on another kid, way of escape is to evade the act by cutting those friends loose
-be confident
Rom 8:28
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

• parents and teachers have good advice to offer in situations like this, God helps, pray about it with confidence that He will help
  **Ja. 1:5-6
  "5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
  6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind."

Matt. 6:13
"And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one"

• pray about temptation, peer pressure and ask God for his guidiance

Matt. 26:41
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Jesus said to the apostles when they failed to watch him as he went to pray,but rather slept.

• God promised to help
  1 Cor. 10:13
  "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."

• if you don’t desire to fit in by sinful means, there won’t be any peer pressure
  James 1:13-15
  "13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;
  14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.
  15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."

• do not love world, sin, fitting in by sinful means
  1 John 2:15-17
  "15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.
  16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.
  17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever."

• stay focused spiritually, stay focused on heaven
  Colossians 3:1-4
  "1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
  2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
  3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
  4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

• prepare for peer pressure — prepare minds for action, sober, obedient
  1 Pet. 1:13-14
  "13 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.
  14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you live in"
  We can also alternate activities to difuse peer pressure.
  
  Source

Chose Your Friends and Recreational Activities Carefully; it will take care of most problems

• people we hang out with are the people you are in agreement with
  Amos 3:3
  "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"

-When christians partners with sin, darkness, unbelievers must come out, not be part of any group that leads a sinful life.
** 2 Cor. 6:14-17
14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?
15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?
16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
“I will live with them and walk among them,
and I will be their God, and they will be my people.”
17 Therefore,
“Come out from them and be separate,says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”

Source

• Fight negative peer pressure with positive peer pressure!
  Eph. 5:6-12
  6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
  7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
  9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true),
  10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.
  11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
  12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.

• be in a peer pressure group that influences you positively, God will help you and work things out in your favor.
  Rom. 8:28
  " And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

-We should stand firm against peer pressure, together for good — in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer
1 John 5:4
"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."

I hope we all have learnt a thing or two about peer pressure!