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.”

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.

Popular Articles in This Series

View All

Answering Kids’ Hardest Questions: Will God Always Keep Me Safe?

William R. Osborne

November 02, 2023

As a parent, we’re often trying to help our kids overcome fears that they might be encountering in their lives. But we have to remember that God never promises bad things won't happen to us.

Answering Kids’ Hardest Questions: Does God Love Everyone the Same?

Ginger M. Blomberg

March 10, 2024

God hates the sin that’s in us, but he sent his son Jesus to pay the penalty for our sins so that we can have a relationship with him.

Answering Kids’ Hardest Questions: If God Speaks to Me, Why Can’t I Hear Him?

Kristen Wetherell

April 30, 2024

No, we can’t hear God audibly, but we can hear him speak in the sense that he has written his thoughts down for us to read and to hear in his word.

Answering Kids’ Hardest Questions: Does God Love Me More When I Obey My Mom and Dad?

Kristen Wetherell

October 28, 2023

Because we’re not God, our anger is imperfect anger at times, even sinful. But it doesn’t change our love for our kids.