It’s not profound or deep, but one will always end up in the direction he is heading! If I decide to keep driving southbound, whether I want to or not, I will always end up at the Pacific Ocean. If one decides to associate with a street gang, he will always end up in jail, wanted, or dead! Why? That is the trajectory that comes along with that lifestyle. That is the direction that their decisions lead to!
This principle was put on full display in Peter’s downfall. Peter was a saved man and one who had walked with God for years. He had done great feats for Jesus. He has given his life for the cause of Christ. Ever since he met Jesus, he went in His direction. Unfortunately, one bad decision turned him towards the wrong direction, which took him somewhere he never would have wished to be!
1. Peter Ignored Prayer’s Power
Matthew 26:36-41 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
There was a huge trial underway—the Crucifixion. Jesus knew that they needed God’s power at such a time as this, so He asked His disciples to pray. Perhaps the gravity of the situation wasn’t acknowledged by the disciples. Maybe they didn’t know the weight of their need for God. Whatever the reason may have been, Peter, being one of those present, didn’t seek God through prayer as intended. Rather, he gave into his flesh and slept. He didn’t do what Jesus asked him to do but did what he wanted and that which felt comfortable. He didn’t seek God!
We will start facing the wrong direction when we neglect prayer’s power! Prayer is facing God to speak to Him. Without it, we will not face God, which means we won’t be heading towards Him. Pastor Meyers has said it before, when a Christian backslides, the first thing to go isn’t giving, but prayer! Are we embarking in the right direction in our life by our prayer life? Is it Him Who we are looking to, or are we facing in the direction of the rudiments of this world, riches’ deceit, or our own selfish desires?
2. Peter Withstood God’s Will
John 18:10-11 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
I hate to address this aspect of Peter’s negligence because I know for sure, 11 times out of 10, I would react in the same way. Our natural inclination as men is to protect and fight when a threat is present. Peter saw that Jesus was going to be taken in by the guards. Peter loved Jesus. He had spent the last couple of years being mentored by Him. His instinct was to fight for Jesus at any cost even risking his own life and potentially the killing of the guards! Why was this wrong? It was always God’s will for Jesus to be taken in! It was necessary for the remission of the sin of the world. Jesus Himself has spoken of this exact event taking place. Peter should have seen this coming. If he really took in Jesus’ Words to heart, he would have known that this was part of God’s plan. Peter’s action of fighting off the guards was contrary to God’s will. He enacted on natural, human instincts—NOT on wisdom and God’s leading! Perhaps Peter didn’t react by the Spirit because he had already been going the wrong direction—away from Christ after having neglected to seek God through prayer!
We will face situations in life, as Peter did, where it will seem like we know the answer upfront. We will feel like we know the right way to handle the situation. We might be able to justify our actions because our motives are right. All in all, if we don’t have God’s actual leading, or His mind, we will be in the wrong! We must always reference everything we do to God’s Word, our foundation of faith! Peter thought he was in the sincere right to defend Jesus, but he was sincerely wrong. Even Saul, as king, thought he was sincere and right when he offered the sacrifice in Samuel’s absence (he took too long and the people were helpless), but he was sincerely wrong! We must strive to depend upon His Wisdom, and not our own! His Word is the only campus by which we should live by!
3. Peter Denied the Deity
John 18:17, 25-27 Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not.” “And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not. One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him? Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.
Peter has been down this road/direction (away from God) for a couple of steps and stops already. He neglected prayer, attempted to intrude on God’s plan, and now he is denying Jesus—the One Who he attempted to save not too long ago! After doing so three times, our text tells us that the cock crew - signifying Peter’s denial. Did he ever think he would do such a thing a couple days before—never! Did anyone think he would be capable of such a betrayal—not likely! What had happened? He was already on this path—a couple decisions that he had made brought him to where he is at now! The worst part is that it doesn’t end here. Peter goes off to “go a fishing” after the resurrection. His direction led him completely away from God! He went back to his old lifestyle!
Going down the wrong direction is wrong but staying in that wrong direction is absolutely the worst thing we can do! Peter stayed on it until he went back to square one—fishing. What we have done for the Lord can be annulled if we one day decide to not only go the wrong direction, but to stay on it! This is especially true for God’s perfect will! Therefore, it is important to be prudent in the choices we make. Our direction dictates who we ultimately become and where we end up!
As we evaluate our personal life, finances, priorities, family, and purpose, can we confidently be rest assured that we are heading in His direction? Is there something in our life that we may need to tweak or recalibrate to point that area of our life back to Jesus?
