Relationships: Friends and Peer Pressure

Relationships 2: Friends & Peer Pressure

Week of January 26^th

Peer Pressure - its Real!

We get it… whether you believe it or not, we actually were in High school/Middle school at one point, and we understand the constant nagging of peer pressure. We know how hard it can be to stand up to a close friend who is encouraging you to do something you know is wrong, and how tough it can be to remember your call as a Christian in those moments. We aren’t trying to tell you that peer pressure isn’t real, but instead, we’re trying to help you find a way out.  

For those of us that call ourselves Christians, we have to understand that the bible challenges us to live differently than the rest of the people in this world.

1 Peter 2:11-12

“Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”

In this passage, Paul actually calls us to be foreigners, recognizing that this world is not our permanent home - heaven is. While we’re here in this temporary home, we are challenged to live in a way that the non-believers around us actually see a difference in us. Don’t forget that Paul isn’t just talking to adults and preachers here; he’s talking to you too!

           

            1 Timothy 4:12

“Don’t let anyone look down on your because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”

So Christians, regardless of their age, are called to set an example and live differently, in a way that makes others take note. To put it in other words, being “called to live differently” is our challenge to avoid conforming to this world that we live in. We are inevitably IN this world, but are not OF this world. We should be confident in choosing to live in a different way then the culture encourages, the bible tell us to on multiple occasions…

Exodus 23:2

“Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong…”

Romans 12:2

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Paul gives us a goldmine with Romans 12:2- not only does he challenge us to avoid peer pressure and the temptations of this world, but he also tells us how to avoid it. Instead of conforming, he says we should be transformed by the renewing of our minds - meaning, we should be growing in our relationship with the Lord. Pursing a consistent and real relationship with the Lord is how we can avoid peer pressure. Can’t we all agree that when we are on track with the Lord, it’s so much easier to say no to that drink or to walk away from a gossiping lunch table? It’s only with him that we are able to stand up to this world and to our friends, and to commit to living a life worthy of the calling we have received (Ephesians 4:1).

Conclusion

It’s so important to remember that even in the most difficult temptations, we have a God that can empathize. We have God that came to this earth and faced the same things that we did, and because of that we have somewhere to go in our time of need!  We have someone who understands and wants to help (Hebrews 4:15-16). You are not fighting peer pressure on your own… If you let Him, God is ready to be your teammate. We’re not asking you to stop hanging out non-believers, but instead, to recognize that, as a Christian, you have a responsibility to point them to God with your life, and a challenge to avoid conforming to their ways. It’s not easy, but we’ll remind you that we lived it, too! If you ever need help battling peer pressure, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Ozone leader, but even before that, reach out to Jesus.

1 Corinthians 10:13

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

Proverbs 13:20

“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”