Managing Peer Pressure

Peer pressure is a fact each person must learns to manage. Negative peer pressure is one of parents’ primary concerns as their sons and daughters seek more independence in adolescence and young adulthood. However, peer pressure isn’t limited to any one phase or stage but overlaps every stage of development.

Temptation's cutting edge can infiltrate our best guarded defenses by sidestepping our strengths to penetrate our vulnerabilities. The strength of our self-image, fortified by our faith in God and the need to be accepted by our peers, is linked to how successful we are in resisting temptation.

Do we attribute too much power to those who entice us to reject our faith in God? Proverbs 1:10 advises, "When temptation entices you, turn your back and walk away."  Accept the escapes from temptation God always provides. Be alert and strong in the Lord when you are confronted by the cutting edge of peer pressure and temptation.  

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Wise friends make you wise, but you hurt yourself by going around with fools.

~Proverbs 13:20 Contemporary English Version

 

Don’t fall into the trap of being a coward – trust the Lord, and you will be safe.

~Proverbs 29:25 Contemporary English Version

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On Wednesday, December 21 through Christmas Day, blogs will be posted each day to coincide with KHCB radio's special music and short devotional programming, "Five Days of Christmas". 

Temptation's Cutting Edge

The cutting edge of temptation plunges deep regardless of a person’s faith, education, or lifestyle. Some blame God for the reality of temptation they must face as well as their failure to escape its demands. Whatever the source of temptation, submitting to its enticement is a choice. Freedom to choose is a privilege but may result in painful consequences.

Someone recently declared, "Wouldn't it be wonderful to go back to college with the wisdom I possess today? Learning is a joy now that I’m not so distracted by youthful temptations.” Those words reflect maturity that has come from the power to resist temptations’ enticements.

When temptation’s cutting edge is pressing in, remember God did not create it but will, in his mercy, provide an escape. Remember these words from James 1:12: "Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has stood the test, he shall receive the crown of life God has for those who love him."

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There isn’t any temptation that you have experienced which is unusual for humans. God, who faithfully keeps his promises, will not allow you to be tempted beyond your power to resist. But when you are tempted, he will also give you the ability to endure the temptation as your way of escape.

~1 Corinthians 10:13 God’s Word Translation

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Temptation's False Assurances

It's within human nature to be shoved up against the cutting edge of temptation. The allurement to what’s forbidden harasses us to step outside our moral and spiritual boundaries. Adam and Eve were tempted to pursue what was forbidden, and the temptation blinded them to the truth of God's word.

Imagine Adam and Eve thinking, "Surely there isn’t anything wrong with eating this one piece of fruit." How many have fallen into temptation after consuming this type of logic and reasoning? Once you’ve submitted to temptation’s enticement and authority, your power to resist is cut away by false assurances.

Cutting-edge temptation is presented as beneficial and pleasing. However, falling into temptation leaves you wounded with grief and regret since a slice of your integrity has been discarded. Yet Jesus Christ invites you to seek his redemptive love, for it will cleanse your heart and soul. Sin’s consequences cannot compete with faith that clings to God’s love and forgiveness.  

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Turn to the Lord and pray to him, now that he is near. Let the wicked leave their way of life and change their way of thinking. Let them turn to the Lord, our God; he is merciful and quick to forgive.  

~Isaiah 55:6-7 Good News Bible

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Preparing for Temptation's Assault

It's not a question of whether temptation will confront you, but how to prepare for its assault. Each person is unique in how temptation pierces their vulnerabilities. Some people are not in danger of submitting to a specific temptation but fail miserably when confronted in another category.

While an adulterous relationship is prohibited, a cutting-edge, secret emotional affair could be rationalized because no one would know and, supposedly, no harm is done. Yet emotional affairs create irreparable damage because faithfulness is compromised in the heart of the person.

Listen to Jesus from Matthew 5:28. “Do not commit adultery. But I tell you: anyone who looks at the opposite sex with lust is guilty of adultery in their heart.” You can prepare for cutting-edge temptation by seeking wisdom and truth from God’s word. Accept that temptation is evil and ask God for strength to escape its grasp. He will provide an escape for you. And thank him!                   

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“Keep alert and pray. Otherwise, temptation will overpower you. For the spirit indeed is willing, but how weak the body is!”

~Matthew 26:41 The Living Bible

 

All thanks to God, then, who gives us the victory over these things through our Lord Jesus Christ!

~1 Corinthians 15:57 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English

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Cutting-edge Temptations

 Every stage of life may present opportunities that were previously unavailable due in part to character development and maturity. In contrast to opportunities, temptations always are present to disrupt the success of an opportunity. The snare of temptation can be disguised in what appears acceptable, even beautiful and pleasurable.

Each person, Christian or otherwise, will be faced with the cutting edge of temptation. Jesus was tempted to take the easy way instead of the road to the cross. Satan tempted Jesus with worldly power and glory in place of being God’s suffering servant. Satan’s temptations denied the cost to be paid for the redemption of mankind.

Cutting-edge temptations attempt to slice away your trust and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It's important to model Jesus’ response to Satan’s temptations. He confronted Satan with God’s word. This is your defense, for God’s word is sharper than temptation’s cutting edge or anything that evil hurls at you.  

              

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Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

~Matthew 4:10 New International Version

 

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

~Hebrews 4:12 New Living Translation

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