Overcoming Temptation - Peer Pressure

Peer Pressure Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. Proverbs 1:10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. Matthew 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, Ephesians 5:7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 1 Peter 2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

Busting Tips It's not only young people that are faced with peer pressure. Adults are too. Being tempted to lie and cheat in the business office is quite common. People of all ages are solicited by peers to do wrong. Ensure that you have positive peer pressure in your life. In other words, have people around you that will influence you to do the will of God; a Christian mentor to hold you accountable; a Christian peer who can support you walk in Christ; even others who look to you as an example can help to hold you accountable. Avoid close knit relationships with those who do not share your Christian values, and often attempt to pressure you into sinful things. For example: it's unwise to start a business with someone who does not share godly values, that person may influence you into participating in unethical business practices. Identify convictions or boundaries in every area of life. For example - you may decide not to attend certain social outings in order to avoid certain kinds of negative peer pressure. Be vocal about your faith. Stand for God. Let others know of your faith in Christ, and take time to share the gospel of Christ with others. Allow your Christian life to be attractive through your words and actions - doing things that display the love, power, and glory of God to others. Example: offer to pray for someone who is experiencing a life crisis; or, send an encouraging note to the person. Through doing these things you become a person of influence, and thus you produce positive peer pressure.

More Busting Tips: 1 Comment Get over It, Get Past It, & Get on with It Jun 9, 2006 By Stan Lewis There are those who love misery and they want all the company they can get. These are the person who out of ignorance, envy or both - try to pull down anyone who wants to use their God given talents to be successful. Every time I am tempted to let negative peer pressure keep me from doing the right thing or something positive for God's kingdom, I think about the words of President Teddy Roosevelt: “It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, … who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.” God does not make losers - only winners. The only way you can be a loser or failure is IF YOU CHOOSE TO BE ONE! Let go and let God, and you will be amazed at how successful our Lord God can be through you. Trust in him and not your negative peers!!