Peer pressure is the most common denominator in bad life choices. We are constantly surrounded by people with different lifestyles and principles to us, and our friendship groups will most likely be the same. This may mean that our friends might try to persuade us into acts we don’t agree with. So how do we navigate our faith and principles around our peers?
‘Cool’ is always changing
We all have that friend who always wants to go out it doesn’t matter where, they just want to be out in the crowd. There is always something new, whether its alcohol, drugs or sexual intercourse. To fit in people will always make the conditions to be cool. But the only conditions we should care about are the ones Gods has provided for us.
Control what you listen to
If you are tired of always hearing about your friend’s weekend antics, well then you know you have out grown that friendship. If you don’t want to be involved in their conversations, the best thing to do is leave the environment.
Stand Proud
Knowing who you are can change how you react to situations. You have your own identity in Christ. Your personality is uniquely yours so why change just because someone says to. You have the right to say no to something if you know it doesn’t align with what you believe. Know why you believe what you believe and what you stand for. If you know yourself then you can articulate it better to your friends when they ask, ‘Why don’t you drink?’. It’s okay to be different so don’t let anyone else convince you otherwise.
Stand Up
Don’t be a door mat when in these situations. People will walk all over you and you will find yourself in a situation you might regret forever. Use your voice and let your friends know if you don’t want to do that certain thing or go to that place. Saying ‘No’ will save you making excuses later and you won’t have to make up some sort of lie. You might have to remind them more than once if they keep trying to offer you that drink. But if they are your true friends they will understand and respect your decision.
Loss of friends
You will lose some friends along your Christian journey, it’s inevitable. People tend to grow out of friendships as their lives change and their view of the world change so will the status of your friendships. It’s okay to not have 50000 friends, as I’m sure you are not really friends with half the people on your Facebook account. The Lord removes what no longer benefits you, so don’t cry if you don’t talk to the person you used to call ‘Home-girl’ anymore. The Lord will place people in your life that will align with your beliefs and can bring a new element to your life.
Peer pressure is a factor we all must deal with. How we respond to our peer pressures will set us apart from the crowd and cement your spiritual walk.
“My son if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them.”
Proverbs 1:10