1. Peer Pressure

2.  A “peer” is a person of equal standing; one’s own age or social circle  “Peer pressure” is persuasion exerted by family, friends, neighbors or culture

3. Peer Pressure Peer pressure is seen in…  Dress, talk  Dishonesty  Violence, gangs  Sexual immorality  Material possessions  Alcohol, tobacco, drugs  Disobedience, rebellion  Condoning sin and error

4. OT Bible Examples Who gave in to peer pressure?  Adam (Gen. 3:17-19)  Aaron (Ex. 32:21-24)  Israel (1 Sam. 8:5)  Saul (1 Sam. 15:1-24)  Rehoboam (1 K. 12:4-11)

5. NT Bible Examples Who gave in to peer pressure?  Jews (Jn. 12:42-43)  Pilate (Lk. 23:23-24)  Peter (Lk. 22:54-62; see Mt. 26:73)  Peter and Barnabas (Gal. 2:11-15)

6. Instructions Given to Old Testament Israel  Ex. 23:1-3,32-33 Warning: do not follow a multitude to evil  Deut. 12:29-32 Warn of evil influence  2 Kings 17:7-17 Warning fulfilled

7. Principles Applied to All Evil  Psa. 1:1-2Avoid evil, seek God’s law  Prov. 1:10fImpact of evil enticement  Prov. 4:10fAvoid way of evil ones Applied to adultery (Prov. 5:7ff; 6:20ff) Applied to adultery (Prov. 5:7ff; 6:20ff) Applied to angry person (Prov. 22:24-25) Applied to angry person (Prov. 22:24-25)  Prov. 13:20; 23:17-21; 24:1-2 General principle restated

8. Instructions Given to the New Testament Church  Romans 12:1-2 Be not conformed  1 Cor. 15:32 Evil companions corrupt  2 Cor. 6:14f Come out from it  1 Tim. 5:22 General principle stated  1 Pet. 4:1-4 Think you are “strange”

9. Peer Pressure  Influence of immoral people  Influence of bitter & angry people  Influence of corrupt speech  Influence of error among Christians

10. Positive Peer Pressure  Peer pressure can be good or bad  Christians need to be a positive peer pressure for good (Mt. 5:16; Phil. 2:15; 1 Pet. 2:12) You set the standard for others You set the standard for others You teach the Bible to others You teach the Bible to others You reprove them (Eph. 5:11) You reprove them (Eph. 5:11)