Slippery Slope

Slippery Slope

Matthew 26:69-74, NLT

Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came over and said to him, “You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean.” 70But Peter denied it in front of everyone. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said. 71Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. “I don’t even know the man,” he said. 73A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said, “You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent.” 74Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know the man!” And immediately the rooster crowed.

Setting the Scene

Standing among the soldiers, Peter was in a difficult situation—in enemy territory—and he didn’t want to be identified with the man on trial for his life. So Peter made a natural and impulsive response—he lied. Peter had been ready to fight with a sword but not to face the accusations of a servant girl.

Peter’s second test came when another servant girl saw him. She told those nearby that Peter “was with Jesus of Nazareth.” With more people drawn into the conversation, Peter lied again, but this time “with an oath.”

After an hour or so, another bystander recognized Peter (Luke 22:59). This person was “a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off” (John 18:26, NLT). Not only did Peter look familiar, but he also had a “Galilean accent.” Peter may have hoped to blend into the group by joining the conversation; instead, his speech gave him away.

Peter made the strongest denial he could think of by asserting that he did not “know the man” and invoking a curse on himself if his words were untrue. He was saying, in effect, “May God strike me dead if I am lying!”

The statements about Peter’s identity and Peter’s denials progressed in intensity. At first he pretended not to understand the question; then he denied being one of the disciples; finally he sealed his denial with an oath so there could be no doubt about it. Peter had slid to the point of completely denying his Lord and Savior.

Getting Personal

When have you found yourself on this slippery slope of temptation and rationalization? What happened?

When have you stood up for Christ after being identified as his follower? What happened?

What can you do to not give in to temptations, even the “small” ones?

Lies and temptations usually begin this way, with the first step so easy and seemingly small. But that becomes a slippery slope. Once we’ve started down that path, the next lie or sin comes easier. We rationalize: “It’s just one look”; “It’s just a few dollars”; “It’s such a small lie”; “No one will ever know.”

Talking to God

Ask God to help you become sensitive to ways your actions, as well as your words, may be “denying” that you are a follower of Christ. Pray that the Lord will continue to transform you into his likeness.