Silent Denial

Thursday, October 16

Matthew 26:73-75 (NKJV)

“And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, “Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.” Then he began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So he went out and wept bitterly.”

Devotion

In this relatable moment, Peter blatantly denies Jesus for the third time and, upon realizing what he has done, is overcome with deep, sorrowful regret.

Denying Jesus doesn’t always sound like, “I don’t know Him.” Sometimes, it looks like silence, staying quiet about our faith to avoid offending others. It’s choosing comfort, popularity, or career over truth. It’s claiming to believe in Jesus while living as if He has no authority in our lives. It’s reshaping Him to fit our preferences instead of surrendering to who He truly is.

Following Jesus is more than belief. It is allegiance.

We need to honestly evaluate our walk with Him. Are we truly seeking and surrendering, or just going through the motions? Revelation 3:16 warns against being lukewarm, indifferent, passive, or halfway in.

But take heart, God’s mercy is new every morning, and His faithfulness never fails (Lamentations 3:22–23). Each day brings a fresh opportunity to live fully for Him. We’re not stuck in failure or fear; we can repent, realign, and move forward.

So let’s ask ourselves: Are we truly living for Jesus or just fitting Him into a lifestyle of our own making?  Has fear or comfort dulled our fiery passion?

It’s time to stop making excuses. To obey Him daily, fully, in every decision.

Living in failure is a choice. But so is living in grace. So is living in mercy. So is living in surrender.

The choice is ours.

Today's Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Your ways are so much higher than my ways and Your thoughts than my own. You see things in me that are blind spots, some of my own doing. Please reveal to me the areas where I have compromised Your truth and why I chose the approval of men over You. Please forgive me for this. Spirit of Truth, lead me in the way everlasting and let Your fire burn up all the slack in my character. I choose You. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen. 

Apply It Today

At the heart of surrender is trust. You can surrender to Jesus, knowing that His heart toward you is only good and that He will always be with you. So commit to strengthening your relationship with Christ by spending quality time in God’s Word and cultivating intimacy in prayer. Let the outward witness of Christ come from “abiding in the vine,” for bearing righteous fruit will be as natural as a branch bearing fruit on a tree. When it comes time to stand or share Christ, you will.

Resources

• If you want to learn how even those closest to Jesus faced choices that shaped their destiny, watch the message “Priceless Lessons from the Life of Judas.”
• Read 1 John 1:9. It gives us the assurance of forgiveness after repentance.