Devotional archives
Peer Pressure
From time immemorial, we humans have experienced peer pressure from the people around us—or from our self-imposed desire
to fit into what we think people around us want. Today media, the arts, entertainment, celebrities, schools and even elected
officials magnify the pressure to conform to the world’s thinking and practice.
The world’s thinking doesn’t come at our children from just one direction—they’re bombarded with mixed messages from all
directions While some voices may decry violence and recoil in horror at student shootings and terrorist acts, down at the corner
store shelves overflow with violent games and entertainment. While we might hope that Christian parents keep their children away
from these violent products, other parents have different standards and it’s probably wise to assume that our children have been at
least somewhat exposed to them. While some groups might measure acceptance by cool clothing, other groups are given over sex,
drugs and gang activity. In this kind of unstable, capricious, shifting people-pleasing environment, God wants his people to stand
up with integrity and stand out from the crowd. Kids need to know today’s Power Point:
God helps me overcome peer pressure.
Peer Pressure isn’t new. Kids can take courage from the example of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These young men
overcame the pressure to conform to the king’s customs, trusted God and stuck fast to their faith. Their specific temptations
were different from what kids face today—but the truth of the Power Point is as firm as ever:
Just as Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego overcame the pressure to conform to the king’s customs that violated their
faith, kids can be encouraged by their example. The temptations of today may be different than what the four Israelites faced years ago,
but the truth of the Power Point is as helpful today.
to fit into what we think people around us want. Today media, the arts, entertainment, celebrities, schools and even elected
officials magnify the pressure to conform to the world’s thinking and practice.
The world’s thinking doesn’t come at our children from just one direction—they’re bombarded with mixed messages from all
directions While some voices may decry violence and recoil in horror at student shootings and terrorist acts, down at the corner
store shelves overflow with violent games and entertainment. While we might hope that Christian parents keep their children away
from these violent products, other parents have different standards and it’s probably wise to assume that our children have been at
least somewhat exposed to them. While some groups might measure acceptance by cool clothing, other groups are given over sex,
drugs and gang activity. In this kind of unstable, capricious, shifting people-pleasing environment, God wants his people to stand
up with integrity and stand out from the crowd. Kids need to know today’s Power Point:
God helps me overcome peer pressure.
Peer Pressure isn’t new. Kids can take courage from the example of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These young men
overcame the pressure to conform to the king’s customs, trusted God and stuck fast to their faith. Their specific temptations
were different from what kids face today—but the truth of the Power Point is as firm as ever:
Just as Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego overcame the pressure to conform to the king’s customs that violated their
faith, kids can be encouraged by their example. The temptations of today may be different than what the four Israelites faced years ago,
but the truth of the Power Point is as helpful today.