SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1291

“I Do Not Know This Man”

But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know this man of whom you speak.” – Mark 14:71

As we study the Passion of Christ, we sometimes wonder how Peter could have denied Jesus after being with Him for several years.

We tend to think of how we might react when faced with death and persecution because of our faith. Indeed, there will come a day, and may have already come for some of us, where we will have to take a stand and account for our relationship with Jesus. Will we deny Him out of fear of what will be done to us?

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. – Matthew 10:28

Jesus did not sugar coat it when He said that if we are ashamed of Him, He will be ashamed of us.

For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” – Mark 8:38

Although persecution for our faith is a reality, the greater threat is how we deny Jesus in our day-to-day living.

Compromise Morals and Values – There are societal values and morals that are constantly changing to reflect the ‘will of the people’. God’s Biblical Morals and Values are unchanging and absolute. When we compromise with the world, we deny Jesus.

Are we given to compromise with the world view about abortion and sexuality?

Do we cheat, steal, and covet because everyone else is doing it?

Are we trying to blend in and be accepted by the world?

The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil. – John 7:7

You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. – James 4:4

Our way vs His way – Our flesh wants what it wants when it wants it. We get that Holy Spirit ‘gut check’ that our way is wrong, yet we stifle it and do it our way instead. When we quench the Holy Spirit, we deny Jesus.

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. – Isaiah 30:21

So, whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. – James 4:17

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. – Proverbs 14:12

Incongruent Behavior – We wear our Christianity proudly displayed in jewelry, bumper stickers, and emblems on our clothing. Are our actions, behavior, and speech in concert with our outward display of faith? We deny Jesus when we say we walk with Jesus but still dance with the devil.

They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work. – Titus 1:16

If you love me, you will keep my commandments. – John 14:15

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? – 2 Corinthians 6:14

Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. – 1 John 3:18

Refusing to Deny Self – Compromise, Pridefulness, and Hypocritical behavior stem from our refusal to truly follow Jesus. If we do not deny ourselves, pick up our cross, and follow Him we are in effect, denying Jesus.

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. – Luke 9:23

And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. – Luke 14:27

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. – Galatians 2:20

Fear of the World – Most of us would not deny Jesus when faced with martyrdom. However, many of us will deny Him out of fear of ridicule.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. – Romans 1:16

But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect – 1 Peter 3:15

May the Holy Spirit strengthen you and equip you with the full armor of God such that your daily walk remains steady and uncompromised, ready to testify to the truth of the Word of God.