What’s the secret to being strong in the face of peer pressure?

on Jun 19, 2026

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: I’m heading off to college and have a lot of anxiety because I have grown up in church and have led what some would call a sheltered life. A lot of my friends make fun of me, but through the years it has helped make me tough. But I don’t want to assume that I’m so strong I cannot blow my opportunity to get an education without the “campus life” sending me into free-fall. What’s the secret to being strong in the face of peer pressure? – S.T.

A: Most young people are likely to be influenced by their peers. They feel pressure to measure up to others’ standards (though they may be very low). Youth wants to feel acceptance, and many young adults say they actually don’t want to do many of the things they end up doing, but the peer pressure is just too great. But in many cases, parents never learned to deal with this problem when they were young, so they struggle to help their children.

For those who have been blessed to be instructed from Scripture, God will use them to be leaders. The Bible says to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. “Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold” (Romans 12:2, Phillips). There’s a wonderful passage in the book of wisdom that tells us to avoid the pathway of evil, go far away from it (see Proverbs 4). Thank God every day for His guidance, and look for His guidance in everything that happens during the day. Be mindful of Him, and treasure His word in your heart.

Young people have a wonderful opportunity to be strong in the Lord and lead others to Him. Every generation has found the Bible’s message indispensable, and its influence on individuals and society have been enormous.

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)