Temptation is a tricky notion because it is usually associated with evil, or negative consequences. Hence it is puzzling to suggest that good can come from temptation.
In the story of Peter’s vow of loyalty, Peter repeatedly insists he would never deny the Master even if it meant he would die for remaining loyal. Such a boast is a blight on the highly positive record of the fisherman. When push came to shove around the fire, in sight of the Saviour’s Jewish trial, Peter was three times questioned about being one of the accused man’s followers. Each time he denied knowing the Galilean.
However, the third denial (Luke 22:59-62) was the most vociferous on Peter’s part. He was told that he had the same Galilean accent as the man on trial and that was evidence of knowing the Man. It does not take much imagination to hear Peter’s Galilean accent, full of panic, repeatedly insisting that he had nothing to do with the One on trial. In denying his beloved Saviour his accent gave evidence against him.
The scene of denial was of benefit to Peter, as it painfully proved to him that he was not as full of courage as he thought. He was not yet strong enough to die for his beloved Master. The day would come when he would die for the Saviour, but there was much growth in grace needed before that hour.
So, as temptation helped Peter get to know his limitation of courage, it was a humbling experience. It was what we call a reality check. Peter learned his limits.
We cannot condone Peter’s efforts to deceive the people around the fire that night. Plainly stated, Peter lied about his identity. Deceit is sin. However, we must not be harsh in judging Peter. It was well said by a beloved pastor I served with when I first graduated from Seminary—“The best of men are men at best.” We need to consider the fact that we can succumb to the pressure of temptation just as easily as Peter did that dark night in history.
You may have shocked yourself by yielding to a sudden temptation and stand in need of being recovered by a mature and gentle believer. Seek out such a person quickly.
On the other hand, you may see a tempted saint who needs a gentle recovery plan. Go to that fallen one, gently lift them up, carefully help them learn the needed lesson, stay by their side as they recuperate, and always be humble enough to remember that but for the grace of God you might have been caught in the same sin.
Satan would tempt us in order to defeat us. Let us, by the grace of God, make temptation a vehicle to bring us closer to the One Who died and rose again for us.
“Eternity to the godly is a day that has no sunset;
eternity to the wicked is a night that has no sunrise.”
-Thomas Watson
