I don't think there's anybody who would disagree that peer pressure is a powerful force,

not only in this society but any society.

Having lived in three societies, I can testify to the fact that it is a very powerful force.

And I know it is most prevalent among the young, but it's not exclusively

so. I have seen many a man and a woman who have fallen victims to the peer pressure.

I have seen many adults who have been victimized by their own succumbing and surrendering to peer pressure.

There are three different types of peer pressure. Of course, there's a neutral peer pressure

that doesn't affect us for good or bad. It doesn't affect our future, doesn't affect our

behavior. Then there is a positive peer pressure that always brings the best out of us, the best values and the faith and strength in our lives.

But then there is a negative peer pressure which is the most common of all.

And that negative peer pressure leads us to act against our own convictions, against what we know it is right, against what we are taught to be right, against what

God had communicated to us to be right. And the only answer I know to standing up to peer pressure

is to know how to say no and say it firmly, say it with conviction, and say it often, and say it

confidently. Not only that, but I think the most

important thing that we can teach this generation and the generations to come is not only to be

able to say no to negative peer pressure, but they themselves be equipped to be powerhouse

for positive peer pressure. Instead of you being the pressure and the peer

pressure recipient, be the pressure giver. Be the pressure maker. And today, I want to tell you about

four young men who resolved in their heart, not only to say no to negative peer pressure, but they became

the peer pressure. Those four young men were determined, not only to say no, but positively

set the standard for the entire Babylonian Empire. They positively made it fashionable to be different.

They positively became leaders instead of followers.

...