peer pressure

Run from temptations that capture young people. Always do the right thing. Be faithful, loving, and easy to get along with. Worship with people whose hearts are pure. – 2 Timothy 2:22 (CEV)

It can be easy to get caught up in peer pressure. When you see your friends making bad decisions it can be really hard for you. You might feel pressured to go along with them, or not make good choices too.

Today’s Bible verse gives some good advice for those types of situations. It says run. Run from temptations. For example, if you know there’s going to be lots of drinking at a party, don’t go. Run from situations that might cause you to do the wrong thing.

Today’s Truth: Run From Temptation

Making the right choice might not always be the easiest thing to do, but in the long run, you’ll avoid a lot of heartbreak and bad decisions if you do. Remember too that you can win the fight against temptation. You’ve got the greater one living on the inside of you. He will help keep you strong in the midst of peer pressure if you’ll learn to rely on Him and His leading.

When you take a stand and decide to live your life for Jesus, it can be easy to wonder if it’s really worth it. You might ask yourself if you should just give in and compromise. Standing up for what’s right is hard, and you can begin to think that it’s not worth it.

I know I’ve questioned it a lot. I’ve wondered if I’d have more friends and be happier if I’d just compromise my beliefs and live a little more like the world. It can be easy to feel that way, and it’s normal to question whether living for Jesus is worth it.

However, before you decide to compromise, think about today’s Bible verse, found in Matthew 12:30.

“Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me. – Matthew 12:30 (NLT)

This verse shows us that to God, there isn’t really room for compromise. You’re either living for God or you’re working against Him. So even if you feel like compromising, think about this verse. Spend some time letting it’s message sink in.

Then ask yourself if some short-term compromise is worth it. If you compromised, would you regret it 5 or 10 years from now? It’s easy to feel like if you give in now, it would make things easier, but long-term will you regret your compromise?

Compromise usually isn’t worth it in the long run. If you stand for Christ, it might be hard today, but later in life, you won’t have regrets and wish you’d handled things differently. So choose today to stand up for truth. Stand up for what’s right and know that God will see you through.

It can be tough to stand up for Jesus. There are probably times when you feel that you’re the only one who is standing up for Jesus in your friend group or at your school. When you’re the only one standing up for God that can make you feel lonely.

I’m sure Jesus felt that way too. When He was on the earth, He had times when no one understood what He was doing. He had times when he literally was the only one doing God’s will. That couldn’t have been easy for Him.

He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. – Isaiah 53:3 (NLT)

Jesus understands what it’s like to be rejected for doing what’s right. Many of His followers left Him during His time of ministry on the earth. Yet even when people didn’t stand with Him for truth, Jesus still stood firm. He knew that He was here to do His father’s will and that was the most important thing.

Standing up to peer pressure isn’t easy, but it’s the right thing to do. So in those moments when you’re discouraged, you can take comfort in the fact that Jesus understands what you’re going through. He went through similar things too. He understands and cares for you.

So if you need encouragement, go to Jesus. Get into God’s word and find encouragement. Realize that you’re not alone, and Jesus understands what you’re going through!

Read: Help! My Friend Is Doing Bad Stuff