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EBENEZER METHODIST CHURCH – KWAE ESTATE

AN EXPOSÉ ON PEER PRESSURE

INTRODUCTION
Many today have their lives going through difficult challenges as a result of
negative influence from colleagues. Today’s study focuses on what peer pressure
is, effects that it can have on one’s life and ways we can employ in order to
overcome it.

WHAT IS PEER PRESSURE?

Pressure put on someone by his peers (a person of the same age, status, or
ability)

Eg. a boy at school wants to be accepted by the “cool” group, they smoke
cigarrete, so he smokes to be cool

TWO TYPES OF PEER PRESSURE

- positive: pressure to do good things, right things

- illustration: the smartest girl in school spends her leisure hours studying, other
girls wanting to get good grades decides to spend their leisure hours studying
too.

- negative: pressure to do bad things, wrong things

- illustration: a member of the football team skips school, talks other guys into
skipping with him

WHY DO PEOPLE GIVE IN TO PEER PRESSURE?

People normally give in to peer pressure due to the following reasons;

 in order to fit in a group or class of people,

 worried that others may make fun of them if not go along with the group,
 some are curious because “everyone is doing it”,
 others do it for personal gain (job, promotion, get girlfriend or boyfriend,
popularity, etc.)

Eg. Peter gave into peer pressure so he would fit in with distinguished Jews —
Gal. 2:11-12

Also, Aaron sensing severe pressure from the people when Moses delayed on the
mountain decided to give in to their wish Exo 32:1-5

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EBENEZER METHODIST CHURCH – KWAE ESTATE

NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF PEER PRESSURE

Peer pressure can have several negative effects on an individual including the
following;

 A dip in self-confidence –Peer pressure can take a normally self-confident

child and make him/her someone who is not sure about themselves and
has low self-esteem. Low self-esteem and a lack of confidence in turn
might impact a child’s general well-being.

 Academics are affected – For teenagers, it is important they be accepted

by their peer group. This means that their peer group’s approval gets
placed above that of their parents and teachers. This in turn has a direct
effect on their academics. Sometimes their academics are affected
because despite being capable of performing well, they choose not to
because in the eyes of their peers it makes them look ‘uncool’. Sometimes
their academics are affected because in an effort to fit in with their peer
group, they place more emphasis on being social rather than working on
their academics.

 Can easily adopt dangerous habits – The more extreme forms of peer
pressure propagate bad habits such as alcohol consumption, smoking,
drug abuse. Technically, teenagers know that these are not good habits to
cultivate but are motivated by the need to feel accepted. At this point of
time, long term consequences don’t really occur to them.

 Makes them feel ashamed or bad about themselves and their family – At
the average school, the student body is composed of students who come
from various economic backgrounds. Sometimes these economic
backgrounds are vastly unequal and for many children, this becomes a
bone of contention. If they come from poor economic backgrounds or
come from a family which might not give them money to spend
extravagantly, children end up feeling bad or ashamed about themselves
and their family, because in the eyes of their peers, they are somehow
‘lesser’ or ‘weird’ individuals.

 Distances them from family and friends – It is common for teenagers to

think that nobody understands them and that the whole world is against
them. However, in a few cases, the influence of peer pressure is such that
it draws teenagers completely away from family and friends who mean
well. They shut themselves off and fall into bad company.

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EBENEZER METHODIST CHURCH – KWAE ESTATE

 May engage in self harm and suicide ideation – Sometimes the impact of
peer pressure on teenagers is so bad that they can hardly stand to be in
their own skin, are distanced from family and friends and become
depressed and anxious. In such instances, teenagers could attempt self-
harm or even dream of committing suicide, engage in suicidal thoughts
and even ultimately engage in suicide.

OVERCOMING PEER PRESSURE

Here are some of the ways we can employ to overcome peer pressure
AVOID FOLLOWING THE CROWD

1. Proverbs 1:10 My son, if sinners try to lead you into sin, do not go with
them.

2. Exodus 23:2 “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.

3. Proverbs 4:14-15 Don’t do as the wicked do, and don’t follow the path of
evildoers. Don’t even think about it; don’t go that way. Turn away and keep
moving.

4. Proverbs 27:12 The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go
on and suffer for it.

5. Psalm 1:1-2 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the
ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the
scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate
day and night.

RESIST TEMPTATION

6. Proverbs 7:22-23 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)

22 Suddenly he goes after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, like a fool to be

punished in the fetters

23 till an arrow pierces its liver; as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know
that it will cost him his life.

7. 1 Corinthians 10:13 The temptations in your life are no different from what
others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be
more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so
that you can endure.

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STAY AWAY FROM BAD COMPANY.

8. Proverbs 13:19-20 It is so good when wishes come true, but fools hate to
stop doing evil. Spend time with the wise and you will become wise, but the
friends of fools will suffer.

9. 1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THE WORLD

10. Romans 12:2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God
transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will
learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

11. 1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves
the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

BE GOD-PLEASERS AND NOT PEOPLE-PLEASERS.

12. 2 Corinthians 6:8 We serve God whether people honor us or despise us,
whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors.

13. Thessalonians 2:4 But just as we have been approved by God to be

entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God
who tests our hearts.

14. Galatians 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please
men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

15. Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for
men. If it goes against God, God’s Word, or your conscience tells you don’t do it,
say no.

HEED TO THE INSTRUCTIONS OF GOD

16. Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to
stand against the schemes of the devil.

17. Galatians 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the
desires of the flesh.

18. Galatians 5:25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

19. Ephesians 5:11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead
expose them.

20. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

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