Luke 22: 31 – 34 and 54 - 62
31 And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” 33 But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.” 34 Then He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.”
54 Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest’s house. But Peter followed at a distance. 55 Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. 56 And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, “This man was also with Him.” 57 But he denied Him, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.” 58 And after a little while another saw him and said, “You also are of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” 59 Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, “Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” 62 So Peter went out and wept bitterly.
In our passages of scripture this week we see Peter denying Jesus 3 times after he had said he wouldn’t. This teaches us that we should beware lest we fall from grace to grass. We must never think that we cannot fall into temptation and sin, but must constantly pray that the Lord deliver us from falling when we are tempted. We must realise that we are not beyond temptation and falling into sin. You see none of us is immune to Satan’s advances. He specialises in targeting believers. That is why the Bible tells us to be sober and vigilant because our adversary devil is as a roaring lion going about seeking whom to devour. The Bible then says we must resist him by being steadfast in the faith.
So, we must guard ourselves. We must not be careless spiritually. Guard your mind and be careful what you allow in. Guard who you mix with and what influences you open yourself to. Always be humble and don’t allow pride to come in and take over. Like the scripture says once pride comes in, a fall is what happens next. Don’t believe in your ability or strength.
Peter was relying on His strength. A bit of pride had entered in perhaps because he had been with Jesus for a while. The fact that we have been Christians for a while does not exempt us from being tempted and falling for that temptation. So, we need to be careful. We need to watch and pray.
Are you in the Word of God daily? Are you being transformed by allowing your mind to be renewed by the Word? Are you in personal prayer daily? Do you have a quiet time before the Lord daily? Are you in fellowship with other believers regularly or are you forsaking the gathering together of the saints? Are you intentionally running from sin and every appearance of sin? Are you abiding in Christ daily? Are you asking for the help of the Holy Spirit at all times? Are you aware of the weapons of your warfare that are not carnal but mighty in pulling down every stronghold? Do you use those weapons? Do you have a lifestyle of praise, thanksgiving and worship? Is you mind set on the things of God, the things that are above, or the things that are below? Are you a soulwinner, a witness for Jesus or are you a gossip/ backbiter/complainer/grumbler? Are you quick with obedience to God and other authority or are you disobedient and rebellious?
These are some questions we can ask ourselves in self-examination, and by God’s grace make the necessary adjustments we need to make in our lives. They will help and go a long in protecting us from falling and being devoured by our adversary Satan.
May the Lord help us in Jesus’ name.
Grace and strength to you sisters…….