One-minute read.
My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.
Proverbs 1:10
Peer pressure makes us do things we wouldn’t otherwise do. Saying no can seem impossible, but not giving consent keeps us from getting into trouble. During Ronald Reagan’s presidency, his wife Nancy started the “Just Say No” campaign, which educated children on how to avoid drugs. The program used role-playing scenarios, allowing kids to practice saying no. By teaching students skills to resist peer pressure and other social influences, the program became an effective tool in the fight against drugs.
No matter what their age, everyone experiences some peer pressure. Maintaining a healthy weight and not eating snacks at night helps me accomplish my goal. But my husband loves to snack, so I battle the temptation not to eat. Shopping with the girls can entice me to spend money I don’t need to spend. And driving with the flow of traffic can make me want to speed. Temptations come in all shapes and forms, some worse than others. If we don’t think ahead and practice saying no, we’ll find ourselves in trouble.
“Just say no” seems easier said than done. Like the students, we must practice saying no to peer pressure, whatever form it takes. Looking ahead and anticipating situations that will entice us help us prepare for them. We can say no and not consent when enticed with things that would cause us harm.
Journaling Questions:
What type of peer pressure causes you problems?
How can you practice saying no to peer pressure?
How can you prepare ahead for potential peer pressure situations?
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for giving us ways to say no to temptation. When people try to entice us to do things we shouldn’t, help us stay strong and stick to our principles. Give us opportunities to practice saying no and become better at avoiding temptation.
IJNIP. Amen
