Peer Pressure - good or bad?

Most of the time when you hear about peer pressure, you get this overwhelming feeling that something bad happened. Am I right? For most any age group, this is true. From the time that you are old enough to care what other people your age are doing, until you are too old to care.

Peers - "Friends, those in your same age group, those who influence you."*

Bad peer pressure -

Pressure coming from peers who influence you in a bad way. For example, peers who dress in a way that is immodest, and they tease and pressure you because you dress modestly. That sort of peer pressure influences you to do something that you believe is wrong. People who do that want to do one of two things, 1. lead you astray, 2. make you feel bad because you are different. When you give in to bad peer pressure, you might do, say, and/or think things that you would not have otherwise.

Good peer pressure -

Pressure coming from peers who influence you in a good way. For example, peers who read the Bible and pray daily, they encourage you to do the same because they know that it will help you grow as a believer and grow closer to God. That sort of peer pressure influences you to do something that is right. People who do that want to do one of two things, depending on your situation, 1. they want to lead you to Christ so that you will find your Savior and be saved from eternity in hell, 2. they want to help you learn and grow in Christ.

The number one way to receive good peer pressure and to avoid bad is to choose your friends wisely, choose friends who will influence you in good ways not bad. Also, you personally need to be alert, if you think that someone will try to influence you to do something bad, get away! It would be much better for you to avoid bad influence, then to try to stand against it.

"...be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might!" Ephesians 6:10.

In Christ alone,

Buttercup

*definition take from On The Rock, an AWANA ministries book.