Own it
But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. Luke 22:60
We all mess up sometimes and we all let others down. Oh, I know it is usually not intentional, but since we live in this imperfect world, it is inevitable. So how do we deal with that reality? How do we handle it when we miss the mark? One way is to pretend it never happened or hope no one saw it. Another option is to hide it and keep it in the secret place where no one has to know. You could blame someone else and try to sooth your conscience that way, but the best way is to own it and quickly confess it to the Lord and get rid of it. Don’t wait until it is noticed by others, or you get caught in the act. Get rid of it as soon as it happens. No need to carry that load. It is the only way hold on to your peace!
Today’s passage is a little different in that Peter was caught before he blew it. Jesus told him before they got to the garden that night that he was going to deny Him. However, Peter argued and said that would never happen. Peter could have stopped to consider that the Lord had said it so it must be true. Or he could have asked Jesus, Is there any way to stop it from happening? Maybe he shouldn’t have followed Jesus when He was arrested and scattered like the others. He did have options.
The options is the first place to start when facing temptation. Consider the consequences and how you are going to feel bad after. Consider what your case will be when you confess it to God. Consider how much better you will be if you pass that mess up and when you do stumble, get back up, own it and repent. Don’t try to hide it and don’t pass the blame. Get with you loving heavenly Father and get your cleansing asap. The best option is to be prepared before the temptations comes along. We all know they are out there and we all know they come. Identify your weaknesses and get a plan before hand.
Peter did just what Jesus said, but then he carried the burden of it until he saw Jesus again. The scripture says: When he thought about it, he wept. That may have happened every time he thought about it. He could not get rid of it until he was forgiven by the Lord. That was when his peace came and he was able to let go of the guilt he was carrying.
Today I want to encourage you to pray when temptations comes. You know it will because it always does in some area in life. Don’t even hide the thought when it comes into your mind. Quickly ask the Lord for help. When you do cave into that temptation, be quick to repent and get back up again. Make a plan ahead of time so you don’t keep falling into the same traps. If you have a weak area that you know you struggle with, get the reinforcements ahead of time. Ask the Lord to show you how to resist and get someone who will hold you accountable to help you in the trying moments. You won’t always get it perfectly, but when you make a plan before you fall, you are more likely to get it right the next time. Don’t be like Peter and ignore or deny the warnings, humble yourself and get help. That way you will enjoy your life more with the Father helping you through day by day.
Today’s scripture reading: Luke 22:54-62
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.
The Daily Dose 