Thursday, August 10, 2023

Own it

Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?”  He said, “I am not.”  John 18:17

We all mess up 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 or heard it.  Another option is to hide it and keep it in a secret place where no one has to know.  You could blame someone else and try to soothe your conscience that way, but the best way is to just 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.  There is no need to carry that load for even one minute.

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?  What can I do so it doesn’t happen?  Maybe he shouldn’t have followed Jesus when He was arrested and scattered like the others.  He did have options.

The options are the first place to start when facing temptation.  Consider the consequences and how you are going to feel after you give into that temptation.  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 your loving heavenly Father and get your cleansing asap.  The best option is to pray and ask for help as soon as temptations come along.

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.

Today I want to encourage you to pray when temptations come.  You know it will because it always does in some area of 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.

Today’s scripture reading: John 18:15-18

15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. 

16 But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in. 

17 Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.”

18 Now the servants and officers who had made a fire of coals stood there, for it was cold, and they warmed themselves. And Peter stood with them and warmed himself.