We all must resist the pressure of conforming to the standards of the world. However, if we do this, some of our friends will probably reject us and separate themselves from us. Such rejection and separation can be tough for a young person. It is not easy to face rebuff and exclusion from those we consider friends. But if we are trying to do what is right, and our old friends do not cut us off but continue to do wrong, it becomes our responsibility to act. If they are into alcohol, drugs, immorality, or swearing, and they persist in maintaining our friendship, it is likely that they will drag us down with their bad example rather than us restoring them with our good one. Hard though it may be, it is up to us to sever the relationship. If we do, God promises to reward us. We should not think that we will be lonely and friendless if we take such action. God promises that He will replace our old associates with real, true, good friends. Additionally, if we separate from those we should separate from and conform to those we should conform to, God promises to put us in Jesus Christ's peer group when He starts doing some separating of His own. Most of our peers have not been offered this choice yet, so they have no inkling of the better way. But we have had it revealed to us, and God urges us to rise above the demands of our worldly peers to seize what He offers with both hands.

Most of us are by nature conformists, desiring to blend into the crowd and avoid standing out as different. Cultures often instill conformity in children from an early age, and this tendency persists throughout life. Those who deviate from the norm are viewed with suspicion, labeled as black sheep. Schoolchildren feel an intense need to conform, wanting to be like everyone else. As adults, the pressure to fit in continues, though the stakes are higher with concerns over cars, homes, salaries, and the latest trends. The subconscious urge to avoid being different remains strong, often masked as a desire to stay in style or keep up with others. For those called by God, this struggle with peer pressure becomes even more complex. His invitation to join His Family sets us apart from the world, making us inherently different. Accepting this call means agreeing to stand out, to be the proverbial sore thumb, and to widen the gap between ourselves and societal norms. The command is clear: do not conform to the world, but be transformed by renewing the mind. Friendship with the world is seen as enmity with God, and we are urged to come out of the world to avoid sharing in its sins. This calling often intensifies the feeling of being different, especially during times when cultural practices highlight our separation from the majority. Ultimately, seeing this estrangement as a small price to pay for the eternal rewards promised by God can help in embracing the challenge of standing apart.

Part of the problem confronting young people is a devilish misconception of what constitutes fun, stemming from a satan-inspired viewpoint. Many youths believe fun must have an edge, being not only amusing but also risky, dangerous, and potentially lethal. Their version of fun often begins with alcohol and illicit sex, descending into dangerous pranks, illegal activities, and various perversions. For many teens, this current idea of fun is not wholesome or enjoyable but involves exciting and rebellious behavior with an edge of risk. When one kind of fun loses its thrill, a more extreme form often takes its place. Young people in this world are constantly beset by negative peer pressure. A youth who worries about what thrill-seeking peers think of him probably will not do what God says, being too concerned about being cool and fitting into his clique. Peer pressure has always been difficult for young people to face, especially when popular friends urge them to attend events or parties that conflict with godly principles. Parents need to impress on their children that this world's notion of fun is misguided at the very least. Young people must be taught from an early age that their primary desire should be to please God, learning a more godly idea of fun through pleasing their parents as well.