A peer is a person who is equal to another in abilities, qualifications, age, background, and social status. So what is peer pressure? It is where there is social pressure by members of one's peer group to take a certain action, adopt certain values, or otherwise conform in order to be accepted.

So what impact does peer pressure have on you? And what does the Bible say about it?

Going against the flow

Peer pressure is going in the same direction as the crowd. But if they are doing wrong the Bible strongly counsels the person to change directions.

It is easy to follow the crowd in doing wrong, because the way of the world is a broad road which many people walk. People do not like to be unpopular and therefore are reluctant to support an unpopular cause. Most people prefer to follow the majority. The man or woman of God must develop the independence of mind to firstly seek God’s help and then walk in God’s way irrespective as to the opinion of others.  

Imagine you were in a crowd walking out of a packed room when you all of sudden had to turn around because you had forgotten something in the room. You can imagine how hard and difficult it is to try and walk against the crowd. In a similar way it requires a lot of courage to go in a different direction to the crowd.  

Examples of going with the crowd 

Unfortunately, the Bible is full of examples of people who were swept along by a popular movement to evil and destruction.

Here are a few of examples of what not to do: 

I       Noah 

When men began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. Then the LORD said, "My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal ; his days will be a hundred and twenty years."

God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways.

Most of the men and women who lived at the time of Noah were swept along with the crowd. Noah and his family went against the crowd and followed the commands of God. As a result, they were the only ones saved at the time of a huge destructive flood.  

II      Pontius Pilate 

Although Jesus was innocent according to Roman law, Pilate caved in to political pressure. He abandoned what he knew was right. Pilate made a decision that would please everyone while keeping himself safe.

When we lay aside God’s clear statements of right and wrong and make decisions based on the preferences of the crowd, we fall into compromise and lawlessness. God promises to honour those who do right, not those who make everyone happy.                                                              

The tendency of people is to join a majority: the danger is that the majority may be supporting that which is wrong. It is possible for a person to speak in support of an issue merely to deceive others that he supports it, whereas he knows it is wrong. It is difficult to stand against the tide of public opinion, but it is evil to imply support for a matter that you secretly oppose. 

III     Peter at Antioch 

Peter was driven by fear as he was concerned about what James and others would think of him being with Gentiles. James had a very prominent position and presided over the council. But Paul accused Peter of his actions violating the gospel. Compromise is an important element in getting along with others, but we should never compromise the truth of God’s Word. If due to peer pressure we feel we have to change our Christian beliefs to match those of our companions, we are on dangerous ground.  

Strong advice from the Bible 

The enticement of sinners hinges on the desire of people (especially young people) to belong to a pressure group. There is a excitement to many to be the member of group which is going against all of societies laws. Yet the warning come “my son, do not go along with them”. It takes courage to “not set foot on their paths”. But the courage is repaid by the satisfaction of knowing that you have made a stand based on your own beliefs. 

How knowing Jesus Christ can make a difference 

Peer pressure can rob us of our joy in Christ. 

What a difference it makes to know Jesus! He cares for us despite what the world around us thinks. Believers don’t have to worry about public opinion and pressure. The apostle Paul stood faithful to God whether people praised him or condemned him. He remained active, joyous, and content even in the most difficult times. Be firm and stand true to God, and refuse to compromise his standards for living.

Pleasing God or man? 

We have to make a choice – do we please God or man? 

In conclusion 

There is a lot of peer pressure to conform to the standards set by the world, and without a doubt it is possible for anyone to be caught up and absorbed into the system without even trying. However, the world of today does not offer a model which you want to copy especially if you are a believer. There is a different course to take which offers a much better model to copy. That is the path offered by Jesus Christ – his path offers eternal life.