by Jason Babu
Many years ago, during my schooling, I faced a difficult situation in my life. I was encouraged by someone who I thought was my friend to take someone’s belongings when that person was not around in the classroom. My “friend” insisted that I steal an expensive stationery box by reasoning, “You are not stealing but just taking it.” Yet, as a boy who grew up in the Church, my parents always taught that taking other peoples’ belongings is wrong and that it is, indeed, stealing. The Eighth Commandment clearly says, “You shall not steal” (Exodus 20:15).
Some may have experienced this situation in their life. You need to know and understand that you have the opportunity to make your own decisions and to consider whether it is the right or wrong thing to do or not. Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce Joseph, but he absolutely refused her sinful advances (Genesis 39). Yet, Potiphar’s wife did not give up! She attempted to put pressure on him to lie with her by trying to lure him day after day. He was able to handle the peer pressure. Joseph was loyal both to his master Potiphar and to God. Note the last part of verse 9, “How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?’ The wise path Joseph chose was to obey God rather than giving in to sinning.
Is peer pressure affecting your life? Is peer pressure having an effect on things you know you shouldn’t be doing? Remember, almost every one at some point has gone through a hard situation due to peer pressure.
Two common things that young people succumb to under peer pressure to do, is smoking and underage drinking. Should you smoke? Should you drink alcohol as a minor? Consider the following facts:
Most people who use tobacco start when they are teenagers. Young people are more easily influenced by friends, siblings, advertisements on TV, radio, and on social media. Today, the common thing is E-cigarettes and other electronics known as “vaping”, which although they do not contain tobacco, they do contain nicotine and other chemicals that could be harmful. Many people think it’s safer or “healthier” to vape than to smoke traditional cigarettes. That is absolutely wrong! Studies are showing that vaping can be even more addictive than smoking!
Indeed, both practices are sinful and have the potential to ruin your body. Estimates suggest that more than 8 million people die prematurely per year from tobacco use. This is the latest available World Health Organisation (WHO) estimate as of November 2023. More than 7 million of those deaths result from direct tobacco use. About 1.3 million are non-smokers who are dying because they are exposed to second-hand smoke.
How about drinking? Drinking too much on a single occasion or in excessive amounts over a long period of time also can take a serious effect on your health. Abusing alcohol can lead to health issues that affect the brain, heart, liver, and pancreas and in some cases, can even cause cancer according to the National Cancer Institute. In its “Report on Carcinogens,” the National Toxicology Program of the US Department of Health and Human Services lists consumption of alcoholic beverages as a known human carcinogen.
It is not wrong to take alcohol occasionally but the Bible clearly condemns excessive use. Moreover, underage drinking causes a number of problems for those who engage in this behaviour. Being an alcoholic is definitely a sin (Ephesians 5:18). Keep in mind that, if you are of legal drinking age, that drinking in moderation is better for your health.
You may consider other matters which can affect your life such as should I consume drugs, should I get a tattoo, should I have sex outside marriage? Perhaps you have heard of the ongoing debates in society about abortion, same-sex marriage, and transgender rights, and feel pressured to accept these lifestyles as the compassionate thing to do.
However, you always have a right to refuse whatever is being presented to you, no matter how it may be labelled. Simply say, “No Thanks.” It may be offensive to your friend but it’s your choice and your friend must respect it, if he/she really is your friend. When God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, He gave them laws, statutes, and judgements to carefully observe. He also cautioned them as to what would be the result of either observing God’s Ways or rejecting them,
“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess. I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.” (Deuteronomy 30:15-20)
Therefore, don’t give into negative peer pressure that contradicts God’s Word! Think twice before you decide, and determine whether the path you are about to take leads you to where you really want to go. Don’t just be a follower, but rather be a right and good leader! If peer pressure builds up, always remember to ‘Stand on Biblical Decisions.’
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