Youth Section
Grace and Truth Evangelical Ministries International

Peer Pressure

What do you do when you are under pressure?

Peer pressure can be very strong, but you have to resist it. You have to be strong and firm, unwavering. 1Peter5:7 instructs Christians to cast all of their cares on the Lord. Always start with prayer. God has promised in Psalm32:8 “I will instruct you and teach in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.”
Don’t ever permit yourself to think of one good reason to disobey God: that is reasoning with the devil. The devil can give u a “million” reasons why you should succumb to that pressure.
If the temptation is external, run away from the environment.1Thessalonians5:22 (AMP) says “Abstain from evil [shrink from it and keep aloof from it] in whatever form or whatever kind it may be.”
Surround yourself with Christians with strong values and morals to fellowship with and keep as your companions. (1Cor.15:33; Prov.13:20) These friends will help you not to compromise. A good example is Daniel and the three Hebrew children (Daniel chapter1).
Always read your bible and be a doer of God’s Word, don’t give up your confidence in it. It will help you to be victorious when you are faced with making decisions. Psalm 119:9 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 Isaiah33:6 says “And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation…” Wisdom will help you make the right choice, knowing what is right is important when your aim is to please God. You have to decide ahead not to disobey God, to be a “God pleaser” not a “man pleaser”
It is stated in James4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Trust Jesus, ask for strength to say no, ask the Holy Spirit to be your best friend guiding and leading you. Ask Him to help you make God decisions. The Bible promises us that God will make a way of escape for us in every trial. (1Cor.10:13)
Simply decide to stay alone, if that will stop you from sinning. God said his Strength is sufficient for you. 1Peter3:17 tells us that “For it is better, if the Will of God be so, that ye suffer for well-doing, than for evil-doing.”
Also keep in mind that our actions affects others, that wrong decision you make can hurt other people. There is a good example in 2Sam.13: it’s a story about King David’s son Amnon. Amnon had a step-sister called Tamar (Absalom’s sister), and he lusted after her. He made himself sick over lust for her. Amnon had a friend called Jonadab who noticed that he always looked so sad, he asked Amnon what was troubling him and then he gave him a bad counsel. He told Amnon to pretend to be sick and requested from his father that his step-sister Tamar make food for him and when she came to his room, he raped her. Tamar was a virgin and in Israel it was an abomination for a woman to have pre-marital sex.
fter he raped her, he hated her with a passion. Absalom found out about it and planned for his revenge two years later by having Amnon murdered.
Pray about it and ask God to direct you to a godly person you can talk to who will give you godly counsel. (Ps.32:8) Do not fear: remember that Jesus Himself was also tempted and He understands how difficult it is. (Heb.2:18) For more information on topics like integrity, authority, pre-marital sex, look under “Topics” on this web site. This will enlighten you on what the Bible says about these topics.
Remember you can stand strong in the power of God, no matter the circumstance. Be encouraged – don’t give up!