Peer Pressure

I. Definition:

Peer pressure is the influence that a group or an individual exerts over someone that encourages them to change their attitudes, values, or behaviors to conform to group norms.[1]

[1] https://www.biblicalcounselingdatabase.net/peer-pressure/

peer pressure: a feeling that one must do the same things as other people of one's age and social group in order to be liked or respected by them

She started drinking in high school because of peer pressure.[1]

[1] Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Peer pressure. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved March 6, 2024, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peer%20pressure

II. Examples of Peer Pressure

Application Question: What things have you done because you wanted to feel good about yourself (please yourself) and be liked by other people?

III. Biblical Understanding

Its Origin: The fall (Adam and Eve) Adam and Eve were created by God and put in the Garden of Eden where God provided them with everything that they needed to live a fulfilling life. They knew who they were as creatures created by God in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and they knew why they existed —to walk in obedience to God (Genesis 2:17). The first occasion for peer pressure occured in the garden of Eden. Satan influenced Eve to sin against God; Eve influenced Adam to sin against God (Genesis 3:1-7).

Fear of man rather than fear of God

A desire to please ourselves and others rather than please God and obey Him.

What does God require of us?

Deuteronomy 6:4–9 ESV

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Deuteronomy 12:28 ESV

Be careful to obey all these words that I command you, that it may go well with you and with your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the sight of the Lord your God.

Romans 12:1–2 ESV

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

c. Fear of man is sin

Proverbs 1:10–16 ESV

My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood; let us ambush the innocent without reason; like Sheol let us swallow them alive, and whole, like those who go down to the pit; we shall find all precious goods, we shall fill our houses with plunder; throw in your lot among us; we will all have one purse”— my son, do not walk in the way with them; hold back your foot from their paths, for their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood.

Proverbs 4:14–17 ESV

Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on. For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong; they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble. For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.

Proverbs 29:25 ESV

The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.

Psalm 1:1–2 ESV

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

IV. Biblical Examples and Outcomes of fear of man

Aaron (Exodus 32:21-35)

Saul (1 Samuel 15)

Pharisees (John 5:44)

Peter (Luke 22:31-35; 54-62; Galatians 2:11-14; 1 Peter 3:13-14)

Luke 12:4–5 ESV

“I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!

V. Biblical Solution to fear of man

The biblical solution to fear of man is fear of God

Faith in the gospel and repent from sin

Grow in the fear of God

live a life of obedience

Avoid bad company

Trust God (and his promises) in all circumstances