One of the toughest subjects at our age is Peer Pressure. It was a big subject back in the day too. It wasn't to the extent of have sex, get drunk, and do drugs; but it was pressure.
The most vivid presence of pressure in the bible was the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (or we could just say you average Jo, Jane, and John). In a crowd of more than 100 people; they were told to bow before a false god; and if they wouldn't then they would persecuted. Can you picture 3 guys just standing there while the rest of this huge crowd was kneeling. They may have appeared to be standing alone, but they weren't. They were standing with God. And like He promised, He protected them when it came time to be persecuted for their actions. In the end: the king was astonished and turned his way of bowing down to a false god to a real God.
Throughout your life you will be presented with obstacles and pressures. Do this and do that. Drink this, Lie here, etc... It's not easy overcoming pressure. Think about it though; Meshach, Shadrach, and Abednego were thrown into a burning furnace. God saved them from that. He will save you from whatever pressure you are standing up against too. I think Paul says it extremely well in 2 Timothy 4:5: "But be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."
In personal experience, I haven't been tempted by friends. Early on I saw that my friends were getting into things they shouldn't be and I made a promise with myself and God that I wouldn't let any of that come in my life. I could have easily taken the road of no hope. I could have hung out with those extremely much older guys, and I could have gone to those parties, and my life is full of COULD HAVES. But I didn't. I remained true to my promise; and instead, I went and found the friends that believed the same as I. My friends minister to me as much as I minister to them. We all have the same beliefs and views. If your friends are doing things they shouldn't, I highly encourage you to start looking for new friends. I am not just saying drop them in the cold. Let them know how you feel; and slowly start to look for the friends that are on the same level as you. It says in the bible that the actions of the people you hang around with, will soon become the actions of your own. Don't let your friends bad habits become yours. Actions speak so much louder than words; and if you back away from the peer pressures of life; then you will be rewarded in the end. Eternally.
Reference wise, I think 2 Timothy is probably one of the most encouraging books when it comes to peer pressure and things that become obstacles for teens. I encourage you to look up theses scripture references or just read the whole book of 2 Timothy. It isn't long at all.
