Peer Pressure

[wworld]

My biggest weakness is peer pressure and what people think of me. I’m just gonna say that straight out.

But is the gravity of any kind of sin lessened if you fall due to peer pressure since you didn’t have full freedom? I usually am able to withstand peer pressure with God’s help. But sometimes I fall.

 

[The_Old_Medic]

Peer pressure is no excuse at all. YOU have control of what you choose to do. Just because others are sinning does NOT mean that you have to.

You can always get different peers. If your friends are encouraging you to sin, they are NOT friends.

BUT, unless someone is literally holding a gun to your head,. or threatening you with severe harm, they can NOT make you do anything. You are choosing to do whatever it is, because you don’t want to have their disapproval.

 

[catharina]

My biggest weakness is peer pressure and what people think of me. I’m just gonna say that straight out.

But is the gravity of any kind of sin lessened if you fall due to peer pressure since you didn’t have full freedom? I usually am able to withstand peer pressure with God’s help. But sometimes I fall.

How would “peer pressure” lessen your responsibility?
Tempted by the world, flesh or devil - in each instance you have free will.

Yes?

 

[Julian0404]

My biggest weakness is peer pressure and what people think of me. I’m just gonna say that straight out.

But is the gravity of any kind of sin lessened if you fall due to peer pressure since you didn’t have full freedom? I usually am able to withstand peer pressure with God’s help. But sometimes I fall.

Good, that a very good start and places you among the rest of us sinners. Now, the question you need to pray about is “why, LORD, do I follow others rather than lead with YOU?”

Just keep asking HIM, in prayer and plain discussion (which is also prayer) and when the reason comes, act on it.

Secondly, your time on earth is an infintesimal fraction of a moment compared to eternity, and the next question you need to resolve is “why LORD, do I not care about what YOU think of me, above what other humans think of my?”

Prayer and daily discussions with GOD, will bring you the answers.

 

[Blue_Flower]

My advice would be just to keep praying about this. As soon as you feel like you are under pressure to do something sinful, just say a prayer, and focus your mind on Jesus.
That is what I do whenever I feel that I’m having proud thoughts (something which I struggle with), anyway.

Also, try to make Christ your example at all times, and think of how much brighter his way is, than the way that leads to sin.