Unlikely Likeables: Peter the Impulsive by David Jeremiah

Unlikely Likeables: Peter the Impulsive

JULY 21, 2018

Then Peter took [Jesus] aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!”
Matthew 16:22

 Recommended Reading: Matthew 26:31-35

In terms of human strengths and weaknesses, many counselors hold the view that weaknesses are simply strengths misused or over-applied. Or, a weakness is an immature expression of a strength. For example, impulsivity, speaking without thinking, and hyper-activity might mellow into enthusiasm, boldness, and proactivity. That might have been the case with the apostle Peter.

Peter is a favorite disciple of many Christians, though he suffered from a continuing case of foot-in-mouth disease from speaking without thinking. For instance, when Jesus told His disciples He would be killed in Jerusalem, Peter immediately rebuked Him: Not going to happen, Lord! Instead of asking for an explanation, Peter assumed he knew better. And when Jesus predicted Peter would deny Him three times, Peter insisted—twice—that he would never deny or disown the Lord. Impulsive? Yes. But then Peter became the epitome of boldness in the early chapters of Acts.

Maturity takes time; the fruit of the Spirit is evidence of God’s conforming us to the image of Christ. Today’s weakness can become tomorrow’s strength.

There are no shortcuts to spiritual maturity. It takes time to be holy. 
Erwin W. Lutzer