Peter was shocked when Jesus announced that one of his disciples would betray him. He was evidently sure that it wasn’t him (vs.37). Though Peter was not the one that Jesus was referring to, it is clear he had it in himself to do effectively the same as Judas did. Yet he was also shocked when Jesus then predicted that he would betray him three times (see Mark 14:31). Peter could not conceive that he would do anything less than lay down his life for Jesus if and when that was required. Peter would eventually become a martyr for Christ, but the morning after Jesus foretold his betrayal, Peter denied Jesus three times. We can learn from Peter’s over-confidence. We really don’t know ourselves. We should therefore always be wary of ourselves and never assume that we are immune from the worst of deeds. The person who says, ‘I would never do that’, ought to be more sober-minded about himself. The people who commit terrible crimes are not much different from you and me. You might be surprised how many of their heart inclinations you share. The difference may be that you are better at curbing your inclinations or even repressing them. Here is my point: never trust yourself to walk on the right path, rather, trust the one who walks with you. Trust God to keep you accountable and to highlight and deal with those destructive inclinations in you. Ask him to keep a ‘short rein’ on you and to save you from yourself. Only then will your path be secured.
Do what I have suggested.
Read John 13:36-38 and Mark 14:27-31
