Unreliable confidence
‘…and have no confidence in the flesh’ (Phil. 3: 3, NKJV).
Days ago, we saw that Satan could speak using the voice of someone around us. We saw how the devil used the thoughts and voice of Peter to speak to Jesus. The Lord discerned that it was not Peter but the devil. Hence He rebuked the devil and cast him off. Of course no one wants the devil to speak through him. So, I believe that after then, Peter would want to ensure that anything he was to say was in line with the purpose of His Master. But had Peter really learnt his lessons on hasty words and wrong voices?
The time was drawing closer for Jesus to leave this world. So He ate his final passover meal with His disciples. In the process of doing that, He told the disciples there right at the table was the man who would betray Him. Instantly, the atmosphere changed! They began wondering and asking who the betrayer might be. Jesus mentioned no name but He had made His point. He then faced Peter and told him that though Satan had tried his best to separate them from Him, He had prayed for him.
Peter should just have said ‘Amen’, but he replied, “Lord, I’m ready to go to jail or even die for you!” This time around, it wasn’t the voice of Satan that spoke through Peter. It was the voice of self-confidence from his carnal mind and will. As usual Jesus knew it and told him: “Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me” (Lk. 22:34). Truly, when the hour of temptation came, Peter had denied Jesus three times before coming to himself! What a flaw! A man’s confidence should indeed lie more in God than in himself.
A lot of people have failed simply because they relied on the flesh. Do you, too, often rely on your assumptions, physical strength, knowledge, experience, skills, education, reputation, position or money? These things fail. Many children of God have failed this way. To have good intentions is not enough. We still need to rely on God to keep us from failure. If Peter had asked for help, perhaps he wouldn’t have had to face that tempting situation in the first place. I pray, may we learn to always depend on God. In Jesus name!
Today’s Corporate Prayer: O Lord, dismantle my fallible confidences so that I can learn to depend totally on you. In Christ Jesus mighty name!
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BIBLE IN A YEAR: Numbers 16 – 18
Tabitha omobolanle Faleye is a lover of Christ and His works and a copy writer/content developer.
