Power of Peer Pressure

by Annagail Lynes

It was Febraury 14. I had spent the night at friend’s house. We had been up all night, worrying about the girl who had took fourteen sleeping pills at the dance the night before. A friend of ours bought us cigarettes from the gas station at the corner. We sent her in because she looked a lot older than the rest of us.

When I asked if I smoked, I said “Yes.” That was a lie! I had never smoked a day in my life…until that day! They offered me the cigarettes, and I smoked them.

For the most part, I was a social smoker. I only smoked when I was around my friends. At parties, at school, anywhere and everywhere.

I have never smoked a cigarette since I stopped hanging around those friends.

The question is did I smoke because I wanted to or because I wanted to fit in with my friends who smoked.

My friends had a way of saying snide remarks behind my back when I didn’t do what they wanted. Of course, when it was someone else they were badmouthing, I wouldn’t think twice about going along with the group to hurt that person. Which only proves that if your friends sin with you by gossiping behind someone’s back, they will sin against you by gossiping behind yours.

I am sure you have been in similar situations, when your friends offer you drugs, alcohol or cigarettes. It is then that you must make a decision: will you do the right thing or take whatever they are offering you?

How do you do the right thing? How do you know if what your friends want you to do is wrong? Ask yourself the following questions:

1. What Would Jesus Do?

When faced with a situation in which you don’t know what to do, ask yourself what Jesus would do? You might think that sounds trite, but the Bible and its principles are as relevant today as it was in the time of Jesus.

If Jesus stood with you today and was offered drugs, what would He do? He would politely refuse.

If Jesus was offered cigarettes, would He take them? No because He knows that His temple is the body of Christ and shouldn’t be polluted with things such as cigarette smoke or drugs.

Read the Gospels–Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The more you read about Jesus’ adventures here on Earth, the more you will be able to anticipate what He would have done in your situation.

2. Would Your Parents Approve?

If you think that your parents wouldn’t approve of what your friends want you to do, that is a clear sign that you aren’t doing the right thing.

Although you might not always agree with your parents’ rules, your parents’ goal is to keep you safe. They set a curfew, so you will get enough sleep and have time to do homework. They tell you not to do drugs because drugs are harmful to you.

Your parents are older than you and can see obstacles down the road that you can’t. It may not seem like it now, but your parents are not out to keep you from having fun. They are trying to protect you from being hurt.

3. Will You Or Someone Else Get Hurt?

If you do what your friends want you to do, will it hurt you in someway? Will it hurt someone else? Talking behind someone’s back or teasing them will hurt the object of your ridicule. Smoking, drinking alcohol and taking drugs are harmful to your body. Even having sex carries the risk of getting pregnancy or contracting a sexually transmitted disease. If someone will get hurt, or if you will be harmed, it is not the right thing to do.

So, how do you resist the temptation to go along with the crowd when you know what they want to is wrong?

1.  Are You Doing This For Your Friends Or You? Determine why you want to do what you know is wrong. Is it because you want to or because your friends are pressuring you to? Don’t let your friends bully you into making a decision you are not ready for or that you know is wrong.
2. Ask God For Wisdom. James 1:5 says, “If Any Of You Lack Wisdom, Let Him Ask Of God Who Gives To All Men Liberally.” With God and His Wisdom on your side, how can you fail to do the right thing?
3. Say No. If you don’t feel comfortable doing what your friends want you to do, just say “no.” You don’t have to be mean about, but you must stand firm in your decision. If they don’t like your decision and don’t want to be your friend, let them go.
4. Meet New Friends. If your old friends don’t want anything more to do with you after you tell them “no,” shake the dust off your feet and start a search for true friends. Ask God for help in locating friends that won’t pressure you to do something you feel is wrong.
5. Get Help. When you are in over your head and you don’t know what to do, talk to your school counselor, your minister or your parents.

Especially if your friends have threatened to beat you up or do you or anyone else bodily harm.

Whether you are in college, in high school or junior high, peer pressure is everywhere. Doing the right thing is the only way to survive. Not only will you feel good about your decision, but God will be pleased as well.

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