My 2 Cent

Peer Pressure
By Bob & Donna Benson

We would like to talk about a problem that never goes away. The problem is peer pressure. It is not
just a problem kids and teens face. Peer pressure will be a problem at one time or another no matter
what of your age, sex, or what you do for a living. We must ask ourselves, “Am I going to follow the
crowd and do what everyone else is doing?” On the other hand, are you going to stand in righteousness
with Jesus Christ?

People of all ages deal with peer pressure every day at school, work, and our personal lives. Are you
going to cheat on an exam? Are you going to be cool and give your friends a free drink at your
company’s expense? Are you going to take 20-25 minutes for a break or just the 15 minutes you have
coming? Everyone takes a pencil or pen home; it is just a small thing. The company will not miss it; they
can afford it; they owe it to me because they do not pay me enough. (We hear this all the time.) Is
taking home a computer program for personal use acceptable? It does not matter what you take or the
value of the item(s) this stealing from your company! In our society today, it is acceptable for
employees will take items home for personal use. Our question is, “Is it right?” More importantly
“where is your heart?”

We are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. We have been born again. We are no longer just citizens of
this world we are citizens of Heaven. We were bought with the blood of Jesus Christ and are called to
be righteous just as Jesus Christ is righteous. We can no longer live as the world lives. So how do we
get the strength to fight the peer pressure? To fight the lifelong habits, temptations, and the accepted
doings of this fallen world?

2 Corinthians 12:9 (AMP)

9
But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you
[sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength
and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in
[your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities,
that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and
dwell) upon me!

The Bible God’s Word tells story after story about people and their life struggles. It tells of their
successes and failures. One of the overall themes of the Bible is “God is our strength to overcome
struggles and temptations.” The men and women who were “after God’s heart” prevailed because they
turned to God in times of hardships, trials, and temptations. These people knew they did not have the
strength in themselves. They understood God was their strength. Even when they failed, the people of
God acknowledged that they failed because they took their eyes off God. They allowed the
circumstances to cloud their thinking and they turned the wrong direction.
We have all heard people say that God is the God of second chances. Well, we are glad God is a God of
third, tenth, hundredth chances. The important thing is to read God’s word as often as possible and put
that word in your heart and mind. The Holy Spirit cannot bring to mind the help we need if we have not
read it or heard it. In other words, you cannot remember something you have never read or heard.

Attend church and be a part of a local church body. If you have difficulties with certain struggles ask
someone to hold you accountable. Go to them when the struggle becomes difficult and pray with them.
You need to share your troubles with other believers so they can intercede in prayer for you. As
believers, we are not an army of one. We are a family who rely on each other and on God to help us
through life’s struggles.

When God’s Word becomes your foundation, the basis for your life will be strong and steady. Your
knowledge of God’s Word will help you stand against pressures of all kinds. It is hard to stand against
the enemy of your faith if you lack the weapons necessary for your fight. The God’ Word is the weapon
you will need to fight the battles of this world though out your life. Knowledge of God’s Word is your
greatest weapon. When Jesus fought Satan, he fought with God’s Word. Jesus said, “God said” or “it is
written” to all of Satan’s temptations. We must be able to do the same when dealing with a world that is
lost in Satan’s lies.

As you continue in your study of God’s Word, share it with your children, grandchildren, friends and
acquaintances. Tell them the Bibles stories and lessons that have helped you build your firm foundation
of faith in Jesus. Share your successes to show them God is faithful. Share your failures to show that
God is forgiving. Share your love to show Jesus lives within you. Remember: God will give you the
strength and endurance to live a righteous and holy life.