How Christian youth can avoid peer pressure
Peer pressure is a common experience for many Christian youth. It comes in many forms and can be either positive or negative.
Positive peer pressure can motivate you to do your best, make wise choices, and grow in your faith.
Negative peer pressure, on the other hand, can lead you down a path that goes against your values and beliefs.
In turn, this may cause you to feel anxious, stressed, or even guilty.
However, as a believer, you are to live a life that is different from the world around you. This can make resisting it difficult someties.
As a Christian youth, it’s important to know how to resist to peer pressure in a way that honors your faith and values.
This article explores some practical tips on how you can do so.
Biblical Examples of How to Resist Peer Pressure
Daniel
The biblical story of Daniel is a great example of how to resist peer pressure as a Christian youth.
Daniel had risen to a high position in the kingdom of Darius the Mede. His success caused jealousy among some of the other officials.
They conspired against him. Eventually, they convinced the king to pass a law forbidding anyone to pray to any god or man for 30 days except to the king himself.
Daniel knew that the penalty for breaking this law was being thrown into a den of lions.
Despite the circumstances, he persisted in praying to God three times a day, just as he had always done.
When the conspirators caught him in the act, they reported him to the king.
The king was distressed but could not revoke the law.
With this being said, Daniel was thrown into the den of lions. However, he remained unscathed as God safeguarded him.
Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego
The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel chapter 3 is another example of characters in the Bible who faced intense peer pressure.
These three young men were serving as officials in the kingdom of Babylon.
All the other officials were bowing down to the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, but the three men refused.
When the king found out about their disobedience, he gave them one last chance to worship the image.
He warned them that if they refused, they would be thrown into a fiery furnace.
The three men remained steadfast in their faith. They declared that they would not serve the king’s gods or worship the image.
They trusted in God’s protection and were miraculously saved from the flames.
Their stories are a powerful reminder that sometimes, standing up for what is right means going against the crowd and facing pressure and opposition.
When you remain faithful to God, He will be with you and protect you, even in the most difficult of circumstances.
From this, how can you be like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? How can you guard yourself against peer pressure?
Know How to Identify Trouble
Be wise and discerning when it comes to identifying trouble. You cannot afford to be naïve or ignorant about the dangers of sinful activities that your peers may pressure you to participate in.
Instead, arm yourself with knowledge of what is right and wrong according to God’s word.
Afterward, trust in the Holy Spirit to guide you in making wise decisions.
In addition, pay attention to your feelings and instincts.
Trust your gut, and do not be afraid to speak up or walk away from a situation that makes you uncomfortable.
Develop Christian Mindset Against Peer Pressure
As a Christian, it is important to develop a mindset that reflects your new identity in Christ.
This means being confident in who you are and staying strong in your faith.
Remember that you are a follower of Jesus. While you may still struggle with temptation, you are no longer defined by your past sins or your propensity towards sin.
Claim this truth and develop a Christian mindset that reflects it. This requires you to develop strength and discipline.
Moreover, you need to stay committed to your faith no matter what situation you find yourself in.
When you can do so, you’ll be able to confidently say, “No.”
Be Proud of Your Faith
Be proud of your faith and stand up for Jesus.
There is no need to be afraid to express your beliefs and values in front of others. That is, even if they do not share the same convictions.
Remember that your relationship with God is the most important thing in your life.
If you are feeling hesitant about sharing your faith, take comfort in the fact that Jesus himself understands what it’s like to face opposition and rejection.
He promises to be with you always, no matter what challenges you may encounter.
So, stand firm in your faith.
Build Positive Relationships
Remember that building positive relationships with those around you is crucial. You can’t isolate yourself from the people who might be making choices that you don’t agree with.
Jesus himself spent time with outcasts in society. However, He did so out of love and a desire to serve. He did not do this to participate in their ungodly behavior.
In the same way, when you encounter people who are making lifestyle choices that conflict with your beliefs, you shouldn’t walk away from them.
Instead, you should use your gifts to build a stronger relationship with them.
As a Christian, you have a responsibility to share God’s love with everyone, and that includes those who might not always make the best choices.
Be someone who will positively influence them rather than someone who will make the same decisions as them.
Serve God, Not Man
In today’s society, you may feel like popularity is everything. And so, it’s easy to get caught up in the desire to be accepted and liked by your peers.
As a Christian, your ultimate goal should be to serve and love God alone.
When you base your actions on what other people think, you lose your connection with God.
Accordingly, it becomes more challenging to serve Him and hear His voice.
Note that God’s acceptance is far more important than being popular among your peers.
Decide to live for God alone. When you have a fear of sinning against God and a desire to love Him, it becomes easier to resist the pressure to conform to worldly standards.
If you feel like you’re lacking in love and don’t have this holy fear, pray to Him and He will give you what you need.
In today’s society, peer pressure is everywhere. It can be difficult for you to stand firm in your beliefs and values.
However, as a follower of Jesus, you are to live counter-culturally. You are to resist the pressure to conform to the ways of the world.
Seek to do the will of God in your life, even if it means going against the popular opinions of your peers.
Living a counter-cultural life is not an easy task. But it is a privilege as a follower of Jesus.
More from Crossmap:
Christian Dating Apps to Help You Find Your Partner in Christ
