The Danger In Pride
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.” But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same. (Mark 14:30-31)
The story of Peter’s denial of Jesus was so significant that you can find it in all four of the gospels. On the night Jesus is arrested, Peter is recognized by those who are on the scene, and when identified as a follower of Jesus, Peter says, “I don’t know him.” Three times Peter denies Jesus in His most difficult hour, and yet, after all that, God still used Peter anyway.
After all of your mistakes, faults, and failures in life, God can still use you as well. But for that to happen, you must follow Peter’s example and recognize your mistake. In Mark’s account of Peter’s denial, he says that after denying Jesus the third time, Peter remembered Jesus saying he would deny Him, and when he remembered this, he began to cry.
Initially, Peter scoffed at the thought of ever denying Jesus. He was so spiritually arrogant that he thought he was beyond reproach. He thought he was perfect, that he would never make a mistake. He was prideful, and pride is what will keep you from rebounding after you make a mistake.
So, don’t succumb to pride the way Peter did. Don’t be the kind of person who can never admit to being wrong. Don’t be the kind of parent that gives your kids the impression that you’ve never made a mistake. Pride makes you think your perception is always right, your interpretations are always accurate, and your decisions are always sound. And it’s that pride, if you’re not careful, that can lead to your demise.
Peter was convinced that when push came to shove, he would always stand for Jesus. But he was wrong. He denied Jesus not just once, but three times, and that’s when he cried. He was disappointed in himself. He realized what he had done, and it was that recognition that began his journey towards transformation.
The same can happen for you. When you’re willing to admit your mistakes to yourself and to God, you put yourself in a position to be used by God.
The story of Peter’s denial of Jesus was so significant that you can find it in all four of the gospels. On the night Jesus is arrested, Peter is recognized by those who are on the scene, and when identified as a follower of Jesus, Peter says, “I don’t know him.” Three times Peter denies Jesus in His most difficult hour, and yet, after all that, God still used Peter anyway.
After all of your mistakes, faults, and failures in life, God can still use you as well. But for that to happen, you must follow Peter’s example and recognize your mistake. In Mark’s account of Peter’s denial, he says that after denying Jesus the third time, Peter remembered Jesus saying he would deny Him, and when he remembered this, he began to cry.
Initially, Peter scoffed at the thought of ever denying Jesus. He was so spiritually arrogant that he thought he was beyond reproach. He thought he was perfect, that he would never make a mistake. He was prideful, and pride is what will keep you from rebounding after you make a mistake.
So, don’t succumb to pride the way Peter did. Don’t be the kind of person who can never admit to being wrong. Don’t be the kind of parent that gives your kids the impression that you’ve never made a mistake. Pride makes you think your perception is always right, your interpretations are always accurate, and your decisions are always sound. And it’s that pride, if you’re not careful, that can lead to your demise.
Peter was convinced that when push came to shove, he would always stand for Jesus. But he was wrong. He denied Jesus not just once, but three times, and that’s when he cried. He was disappointed in himself. He realized what he had done, and it was that recognition that began his journey towards transformation.
The same can happen for you. When you’re willing to admit your mistakes to yourself and to God, you put yourself in a position to be used by God.
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