How to Deal with Negative Peer Pressure

Peer pressure is something that all teenagers face at one point or another in life...

Peer pressure can be either good or bad; It can either be encouragement to do right, or encouragement to do wrong.

Recently, I was able to interview Pastor Jerry Clark from First Baptist Church in Oregon, Illinois in regard to the topic of peer pressure.

The following material is from that interview:

What is the proper Biblical response to negative peer pressure?

Positive peer pressure: Stay close to those who would help you do what is right.

When facing negative peer pressure, keep a good spirit and attitude.

• You may need to simply walk away.

• You may have opportunity to tell why you cannot go along with the group.
  

• You may even influence others to do what is right.

When I am pressured to do wrong, how should I react to those who try to pressure me?

You should be kind but firm in your beliefs.

If we take a stand against sin, Satan desires for us to take that stand in pride.

• Believers must do what is right and pleasing to the Lord with a humble spirit.

If your friends keep after you to do wrong, it is time to look for some better friends.


When being pressured to do wrong, what are some verses that can help me make the decision to do right?

"Choose you this day whom ye will serve . . . but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Joshua 24:15

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer."

Psalm 19:14

"Depart from evil, and do good."

Psalm 34:14

"Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge."

Proverbs 14:7

"I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways."

Psalm 119:15

While it may be extremely difficult at times to resist giving in to negative peer pressure, remember that through the strength that Christ gives us, we can do all things. (Philippians 4:13)

It's not wrong to be tempted, but it is wrong to give in to temptation.

"My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not." - Proverbs 1:10

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Free from Sin; Free to Live for Christ

Have you ever felt trapped by things from your past?

Satan often brings past deeds to mind in an attempt to distract and discourage us...

In this video from the Skit Guys, we see that through the sacrifice made Jesus Christ on Calvary, we are free from the bondage of sin; we are free to live for Christ:



Are you living in the past - controlled by memories of sin?

If so, realize that if you've accepted Christ as your Savior, your sins have been removed from you and will never be held against you... Your sin has been paid for!

"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." - John 8:36

Separated, not Isolated: Living in the World, not of the World

 “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”

- 1 John 2:15-16 -

From what we read in the Bible, we know that we are to be in the world, but not of the world.  What does this entail?  Well, as followers of Christ, we are to live differently from those that are unsaved.

Having the Holy Spirit in your life will affect what you watch, what you say, where you go, what you listen to, how you dress, etc.  Essentially, nearly every aspect of your life will be very different from what it was before you trusted Christ.  “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” - II Corinthians 5:17

Often, there’s not as much of a difference as there should be… And it’s not because the unsaved are becoming closer to Christ.  It seems that many Christians want to see how close to the edge they can get, rather than keeping their distance from the pleasures of the world.  “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” II Timothy 2:22

 As Christians, the unsaved world is watching what we do and say.  If we are not noticeably different from the world around us, it gives cause for Satan to blaspheme.  “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.” Matthew 5:13

 While we need to be separated from the world, we must be careful not to eliminate our contact with those around us. It’s our responsibility to share the Gospel with the unsaved people that we come into contact with.  We must make sure that those around us see a difference, and see Christ through us. “No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.” Luke 11:33

 Also, we must be wary of self-conceit. Are we separated because it’s what Christ commands, or just because it’s what is accepted?  In many Christian environments, it’s very easy to follow the rules simply to fit in. That's not at all to say that the rules are wrong; just that we need to examine why we are doing what we do, and to make sure that it’s for God’s glory, and not our own.  It’s all too easy to become focused on other peoples’ faults, and our own “spiritual goodness”… Thus taking our complete focus off of the Lord.

Do what’s right, but make sure to do it for the right reason: because it’s what God desires.

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The Greatness of the Gospel

What is the purpose of the Gospel in the life of a Christian?

Is it merely to help you to escape from the punishment that you deserve?

Or, does it serve a greater purpose?

Eric Ludy's video "The Gospel" explains the true purpose of the good news of Christ:




God has a great plan for your life.

Will you follow His plan?

He has done so much for you.

What will you do for Him?

Getting Involved in Ministry

How can a teen get involved in a ministry?

This presentation has some suggestions of how to get involved in the work of the ministry:



Getting started is as easy as asking your pastor or youth pastor what you can do to help out.

Serving God is the greatest thing that you can do with your life.

Get involved today!
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