READ: Daniel 1:3-8

• Contrary to the popular notion, it isn’t just teenagers who face peer pressure.

• People of all ages must face it too.

• All of us live with the constant pressure to conform.

• The key to surviving peer pressure is having convictions.

• The old adage is true, "If you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything!"

• There is a difference between having convictions and having preferences.

• Dr. Edwin Louis Cole illustrates the difference with this series of statements:

• The prophet Daniel stands as a shining example of a person who would not yield to peer pressure.

• Keep in mind he was a captive, no more than 13 to 15 years of age, when he was faced with standing up for what he knew was right.

• In Daniel chapter one, we find Daniel’s Six Keys To Surviving Peer Pressure.

Key # 2 Daniel knew the commandments of God (v. 8).

Key # 3 Daniel was willing to stand alone.

• Scholars believe that there may have been several hundred Jewish boys in the school Daniel was placed in.

• Yet it was only Daniel and his three friends who were willing to stand on their convictions.

Key #4 Daniel was willing to be tested (v.12).

• Faith that is anchored in Jesus Christ does not need to fear testing.

• In fact, the test was Daniel’s idea.

• He was respectful and willing to submit to authority (v.12). Daniel even used the word "Please", a word no longer a part of the vocabulary of many people.

• In essence Daniel said, "Put my convictions to the test of ten days, if it doesn’t work I’ll do things your way".

Key #5 Daniel was willing to sacrifice for his convictions.

• There was a price to pay.

• Once the test was over, Daniel and his three friends still had to live on vegetables and water for the next three years.