Why do we encounter peer pressure? The bible clearly states that as Christians we should not expect our lives to be like the lives of everyone else living on earth (unbelievers). In this world that we live in today, we are aliens and strangers of this world and should not see this world as our home. Even Jesus christ was rejected and is still rejected even in the very moment as i write this article, by so many people in the world who want to live their life in an ungodly manner, just to please their wordily desires and selfish interest. Same people you'll also find disrespecting us for our faith and what we believe in.
1 Peter 2:11
Beloved, I urge you has sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, jwhich wage war against your soul
1 peter, warned us to stay away from that which gives pleasure to the flesh and wage war against the soul. That thing which makes your flesh happy, and there by making you face eternal condemination.
The apostle paul told us how we are to know that we are true Christians, he emphasised on the fact that we are to go through series of sufferings doing God's work because the devil is going to make sure of that, so that we might want to give up our faith, and we need to find joy in it. We should expect to face trials and persecution as christians and believe that one day, God is going to pay back all the troubles we have gone through for the love of him, all the pain and suffering that has been giving to us by people who don't believe in him, will be paid back by God, at the right time. He also warned that we should never lose faith in standing for the right cause.
Although many christians will never face persecution as severe as what the Thessalonians faced, or even those living in modern day sudan, who are killed for their faith in God. we still suffer in smaller ways, such as torture of peer pressure.
North Korea stands at the top of the list of 50 countries where at least 215 million Christians face the most severe persecution.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT DEALING WITH PEER PRESSURE?
The bible never specifically used the word "peer pressure" but tells us how to deal with the trials we face in our everyday Christian life, especially those involving unbelievers
Romans 12: 2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is"his good, pleasing and perfect will
Romans 12: 14-16
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited
1 Peter 1: 13-21
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God
Peer pressure is a fleeting thing in our lives and its about insecurities and the need to be accepted by everyone. Most people realize that intimidating someone to feel important is manipulative and immature.
The apostle Paul keeps warning us, not to give in to peer pressure, it would come in all form and disguise, but we should watch and pray for the strength of the Lord to be able to withstand the pressure. And we must also learn that, everyone is not going to accept us for who we are, even God came to earth and lived among men which he created and still yet, he was never accepted by everyone. But nevertheless, we should continue to do the work of the lord and stay focused regardless of what people might bring to you, just to see you fail, regardless of the trials and persecution.
Sudan also takes lead in the persecution of Christians.
Finally my brothers and sisters, we should always depend on the Lord for strength, because he sent us this missiom and will always be there to guide our path. Amen.