Answering Kids’ Hardest Questions: What If My Friends Tell Me to Do Something That Is Wrong?
This article is part of the Answering Kids’ Hardest Questions series.
Do the Right Thing
What if my friends tell me to do something that is wrong? I heard someone say it’s never the wrong time to do the right thing. The fact that people you like, who you want to like you, are encouraging you to do something wrong doesn’t make it right to—just this once—do the wrong thing.
So if a child asks you this question, I would point them to 1 Corinthians 10:13 that says, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to man. God is faithful. He will provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
Arlo and the Keep-Out Club
Betsy Childs Howard
Arlo and the Keep-Out Club teaches kids ages 3–7 about the danger of peer pressure, the benefits of doing right, and the joy of putting their trust in Jesus as their ultimate friend and comforter in times of loneliness.
So if someone tells you to do something you know that is wrong, stop and remember that you don’t have to do it. You don’t have to give into temptation. And then think about what is the way out that he has provided for you.
That may be that you need to tell a grownup and ask for help. It may be that you think of something else to do and suggest that to your friends. Or it may be that you need to get out of there and run as fast as you can so that you’re able to withstand the temptation. But remember that you can do it by the power of the Holy Spirit in you. You can do the right thing, and you won’t be sorry.
Betsy Childs Howard is the author of Arlo and the Keep-Out Club.
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