Beware: NEVER is a BIG word which opens the door to the work of the devil. Satan is one who loves to hear Christians boast about the “never’s” in their lives for this is his perfect opportunity to test. It was not that Peter’s heart was not right but the fact that he was boasting about something over which he thought he had under control. How often do we do the same! We think we have our faith under control, our love under control, our passions under control and then “boom.” The Lord Jesus warned Peter that that night all of them, including Peter, would be scattered and to add to that, Peter himself would deny he ever knew Jesus---not once but thrice. To Peter that was unthinkable, unconscionable and yet a few hours later the face of Jesus turned to him and revealed what he had said would happen, happened.
This example gives us understanding of why Paul emphatically told Timothy: elders must not be recent converts or they may become arrogant and fall into the punishment that the devil will exact and again they must be men whose reputation precedes them outside lest they fall into disgrace and be caught by the devil’s trap.
Today may we draw close to Jesus and listen carefully to his words of warning when we begin boasting about what we can or cannot do. May our hearts remain tender and open to what He would have us hear so that we can be discerning about our choices. Maybe that is why the author of Hebrews tells us:
Heb 5:14 "But solid food is for the mature, whose perceptions are trained by practice to discern both good and evil."
1Tim 3 1Tim 3
Matt 26:30 to 46 Matt 26:30-46
