Peer Pressure

How to avoid falling into peer pressure.

God’s Word in your heart has the potential to influence your choices, spend time in memorization of Bible verses to help you resist peer pressure. These are the verses that the Holy Spirit will bring to your remembrance when you are faced with temptation. (Isaiah33:6)
Psalm119:9 says “How shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed and keeping watch [on himself] according to Your (God’s) Word [conforming his life to it].” AMP Letting people know that you are a Christian and letting them know what you stand for is very important. If you have not compromised in the future, it will send out a message that you live to please God. Matthew7:20 says, “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”
Proverb1:10-15 says “My son if sinners entice thee, consent thou not…My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:”
The Bible speaks emphatically about how powerful the people we spend time with can influence our decisions. Chose Christian friends with the same values as you have, those who are doers of the Word of God. It is much adder to resist temptation when you keep company with people who have different values from you. Apostle Paul wrote in 1Cor.15:33 (NKJV): “Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits.”
Knowing who you are in Christ and what you want *. As a child of God, you represent Christ and the Bible commands us to “let your lights so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matt.5:16) Make up your mind that in everything you do, you will please God. It is up to you to determine the kind of person you want to be and hold unto your beliefs. If you don’t do that, then your peers will influence your decisions and the kind of person you will be.
Remember that your actions have consequences, drugs destroy lives, pre-marital sex can lead to pregnancy or STD (sexually transmitted disease) etc. There are a lot of risks involved and sometimes you do not only hurt yourself, your actions can also hurt others.
How will you feel when it is over? Look at this story in 1Samuel 13*
Look for alternative ways to enjoy yourself: get involved in sports, fellowship with fellow Christians with same values, a hobby that will add value to you etc. let your delight be in the ways of God.
Know that you are loved by your parents and family, its even better to know that God loves you unconditionally. He is available for you 24/7. He is faithful; you can trust Him and tell Him your secrets. He said in Hebrews13:5b, 6a “…I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”
It is so important that you trust in God and know that He will never fail you. Psalm118:8 says “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.”
Always have it in mind that sometimes you may have to stand alone for making the right choices. When you do this, you honour God and He will also honour you.