How NOT to deny Christ

What do we remember about Peter?  He denied the Lord three times.  Even if he was mightily used by God to begin the building of Christ’s church in the book of Acts, we always remember his sin – denying the Lord, not just once but three times.

Many times during the day Christians are exposed to situations and circumstances that also tempt us to deny our faith and love for our Lord Jesus Christ.  We are tempted to do something opposite our Lord’s teachings, or to act or live as if we did not know Him.  Just like Peter.

Let’s allow the circumstances that lead to Peter’s denying his Lord to teach us how we can overcome this temptation to deny our Lord before others:

Luke 22:31-32 (NIV)
31 "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.
32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."

Even before the situation came where Peter was tempted to deny his Lord, Jesus warned him.  Satan was out to sift him like wheat!  Now this is something that every Christian needs to remember – we have an enemy!  And all he wants is to destroy our faith, dilute our testimony, so that others may not believe in the Lord we follow.

But Jesus gave him words of assurance – But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail.  This prayer of Jesus was actually answered, for even after Peter did deny his Lord, he did not run away from Him.

Sadly, Peter did not rely on his Lord, but on his self.  Peter was self confident.  Look how he replied:

Luke 22:33-34 (NIV)
33 But he replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death."
34 Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me."

Jesus knew that if Peter relied on himself, he would eventually deny Him.  A Christian is never to be self-confident.  No matter how spiritually “high” or strong you may feel right now, do not rely on your own strength to fight temptation!  Our dependence must be in our God!  Our Lord continually strengthens us, intercedes for us in heaven, that our faith may also not fail! 

Luke 22:54 (NIV)
54 Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance.

Notice that Peter did not publicly proclaim himself a follower of Christ.  So, when the opportunity came for him to do so, he opted to deny Christ.  How easy it is to deny who we love when we walk so far from them!  It’s the same with Jesus.

Many Christians are like that, walking as “secret followers” of Christ.  So, when given the opportunity to do something contrary to what our Lord teaches, we quickly compromise.  Why?  Because we followed at a distance.

Walk closely with God, everyday, privately and publicly.  Enjoy God’s presence in prayer everyday.  Show everyone who you follow, so that when the temptation comes to deny Christ we will stand for Him rather than deny Him!

Luke 22:55 (NIV)
55 But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them.

Instead of separating himself from those who mocked and ridiculed his Christ, Peter sat down with them. Of course he would feel the pressure of denying Christ.  He was sitting right beside them!

Many Christians make the same mistake.  We hang around with the wrong crowd.  Their talk and actions contradict the teachings of our Lord.  So what happens?  We laugh with them, talk the same talk, walk the same walk.  We end up denying the Lord we claim we follow.

1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV)
33 Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."

How can we overcome the temptation to deny Christ?  1.  Know you have an enemy, who is out to destroy you!

2.  Trust totally in the strength and grace that your God provides.

3.  Do not walk with God “from a distance”.  Walk closely with Him, privately and publicly.

4.  Do not sit down with those who publicly mock our Lord and His teachings.