In 2021, where spirituality is either regarded in high esteem or with contempt, there is virtually always a battle between hiding one's Christianity and being true to one’s faith. How easy it is to adhere to Christian values as the lines blur between right and wrong? How can you be a Christian when the world appears so anti-Christian, and culture is constantly getting more modern? 

Murder is unlawful, but how about alcohol, sex, and smoking? These are ever present realities for Christian teens, invariably faced with denying our Christian faith to belong, especially when an act only ‘slightly’ contradicts our religious beliefs. 

With respect to carnal sin, Mischa (age 17) declares, ‘I’ve always been strong.’ When she encounters peer pressure, she has decided her only response is to ‘say absolutely not.’ However, she confesses, ‘I’d like to say I don’t [ignore things I strongly disagree with], but I only sometimes try to stop my friends from doing what is wrong and instead say what the Holy Spirit tells me to say.’

Another teen, Kayleigh, believes challenges arise “because people expect Christians are perfect.” As a natural introvert, she finds “sharing [her] faith” the most difficult aspect of her teenage Christian life. 

Daisy admits that in a world where “everyone is dying, there’s COVID-19, and global warming, Christian faith is something to hold on to,” which bolsters her belief that “the whole world isn’t going to explode.” Despite this, she habitually succumbs to temptations. She admits she is “working on it but [does] not say no.”

As a Christian teen, with God’s help, I try to avoid carnal temptations. Conversely, speaking up or defending my faith in a crowd where my voice is perhaps the singularly unpopular opinion is typically outside the scope of my comfort zone. It’s that unsettling feeling you get when you know what is right, but you sit there and say nothing!

Carnal sins are often regarded as the greatest temptations for Christian teens; however, in 2021, where people are at liberty to express their desires and beliefs, often contradictory to Christian values, the Christian teenager faces the formidable challenge of vocalising our faith. Why can’t we bear some measure of persecution for our beliefs, for the One who bore all for our sins? Admittedly, this is increasingly more difficult, and indeed, it is much easier said than done as a Christian teen in 2021.