DCLM Higher Everyday 8 February 2026 — Teens Issues, Part 3: Peer Pressure
DCLM Higher Everyday 8 February 2026 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Teens Issues, Part 3: Peer Pressure
Topic: Teens Issues, Part 3: Peer Pressure
Text: 1 Kings 12: 6-14
6And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people?
8But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him:
9And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter?
10And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s loins.
11And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
12So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed, saying, Come to me again the third day.
13And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men’s counsel that they gave him;
14And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
Key Verse: “And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions” (1 Kings 12:14).
Message
Nick Vujicic, a renowned Christian speaker was born without arms and legs. Apart from his physical limitation, he was also faced with intense peer pressure as a teenager. In his book, “Life without Limits,” he shared how he struggled with the feeling of inadequacy, low self-esteem and how he was desperate to fit in with his peers and be accepted by them even to the extent of compromising his Christian values to gain popularity. He overcame negative peer pressure by realising that his identity and self-worth came from God and not from what others thought of him.
Also Read: DCLM Higher Everyday 7 Feburuary 2025 – Teens’ Issues, Part 2 – Purity In Puberty
Our text highlights the consequences of Rehoboam’s failure to resist peer pressure or advice to seek God’s guidance. He succumbed to intense peer pressure that led to the division of Israel and limitation of his kingdom.
Like Nick, many youths are so worried of what other people think or say about them, about being accepted by their peers, or try to fit in with the crowd. But the truth is that a Christian youth does not seek the approval of peers but the approval of God and His Word.
Quote: Seek God’s guidance
Challenge: Never compromise your values to fit in.
Prayer for today: Lord, give me the grace to stand out and make a difference.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
