How can I tell the difference between good and bad peer pressure?
Matthew 7:20“Just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.”
Hebrews 12:13Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.
3 John 1:11Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God.
Compare the claims others make with the quality of their lives. Include in your circle of friends and counselors people whose lives have demonstrated integrity. Never make a significant change in direction without consulting with someone you know will tell you the truth.
Genesis 3:1-7The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’” “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.
Exodus 23:2-3“You must not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you are called to testify in a dispute, do not be swayed by the crowd to twist justice. And do not slant your testimony in favor of a person just because that person is poor.”
Numbers 25:1-2While the Israelites were camped at Acacia Grove, some of the men defiled themselves by having sexual relations with local Moabite women. These women invited them to attend sacrifices to their gods, so the Israelites feasted with them and worshiped the gods of Moab.
Any course of action presented as harmless “because everyone is doing it” is almost certainly a bad decision. Any course of action that assumes God cannot be trusted will move you in an evil direction.
1 John 2:10Anyone who loves a fellow believer is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble.
Good peer pressure will always encourage you towards living a more godly life while bad peer pressure will always lead you away from godly living. Are your friends encouraging you toward God or away from him?
Proverbs 14:7Stay away from fools, for you won’t find knowledge on their lips.
Proverbs 16:23From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive.
2 Corinthians 5:11Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this, too.
Colossians 2:4I am telling you this so no one will deceive you with well-crafted arguments.
Consider the source of the peer pressure. Are the peers wise, sincere, and authentic? Do they care what God thinks, or not? Does God’s Word have to be twisted or ignored in order to go along with the pressure?
