One day the disciples were in a boat on a stormy sea, struggling against the wind, and suddenly they saw a person walking on the water towards them. “It is a spirit,” they cried out in fear. Who was it? It was Jesus, walking towards them. What did Peter say now?
“Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water. And He said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” Matthew 14:28–31
Normally in life what we do once, the next time we do it better, and as we practice it more and more, it becomes a habit. But, in religion it does not work that way. Elder Waggoner uses the example of Peter’s experience. One minute he could walk on water, and then the next minute he could not. In our life, the same thing often happens. Which is easier—to walk on water, or to live a perfect, sinless Christian life? Both are impossible for us to do alone. The moment Peter turned his eyes away from Christ, and he saw the storm and the waves of the sea, he started sinking. In our morning prayer we ask God to help us to not sin, and the next moment we forget Jesus and turn our eyes away from Him. The same thing will happen to us as that happened to Peter when he turned his eyes away from Jesus.
After many years of walking with Jesus and learning of Him, can we then take a few steps alone? No, never.
What happened to Judas when he separated from Jesus and started to walk alone? The moment he left Jesus he made terrible mistakes, and finally he took his own life. We must learn the lesson, that alone we can do nothing. Some professing Christians are one day, humble, pious, missionary-minded, full of zeal for God, and then the next day are the complete opposite. This is how Peter was—very faithful in one moment, and a moment later the complete opposite.
“He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven. . . . Then Peter took Him, and began to rebuke Him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto Thee. But He turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind Me, Satan: thou art an offence unto Me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” Matthew 16:15–17; 22–23
The Holy Spirit spoke through Peter, and the next moment, Satan spoke through him. One time Peter said to Jesus, “I will die for You,” and the same night three times he denied that he knew Jesus.
Many people lose sight of Jesus when they are provoked to anger. A quick hasty temper can blind us in a moment, and we cannot see Jesus anymore; all the wonderful promises we made to God are forgotten. Now we can speak words that we regret later.
Sister White wrote to a brother: “Brother G, you are in great danger of losing your soul. You want to have the pre-eminence. At times you feel deeply if you think you are slighted. You are not a happy man. You will not be happy if you leave the people of God, taking offense at plain words and facts, as did many of the followers of Christ, because the truth spoken was too close. You will not be a happy man, for you will take yourself with you. You are not right; you make trouble for yourself. Your temperament is your enemy, and go where you will you will take yourself with your burden of unhappiness. It is an honor to confess a wrong as soon as it is discerned.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 239–240
To another person she wrote, “Your hasty temper often causes you sincere and painful regret and self-condemnation. This passionate spirit, unless subdued, will increase to a peevish, faultfinding spirit; indeed, this is already upon you in a degree. You will be ready to resent everything. If jostled upon the sidewalk, you will be offended, and a word of complaint will spring to your lips. When driving in the street, if full half of the road is not given you, you will feel stirred in a moment. If asked to put yourself out of your course to accommodate others, you will chafe and fret, and feel that your dignity is imposed upon. You will show to all your besetting sin. Your very countenance will indicate an impatient spirit, and your mouth will always seem ready to utter an angry word. In this habit, as in tobacco using, total abstinence is the only sure remedy. An entire change must take place in you. You frequently feel that you must be more guarded. You resolutely say, ‘I will be more calm and patient;’ but in doing this you only touch the evil on the outside; you consent to retain the lion and watch him. You must go further than this. Strength of principle alone can dislodge this destroying foe and bring peace and happiness.” –Ibid., vol. 2, p. 425
A hasty temper is a lion inside. When all is favourable and well, the lion is sleeping, but when something is wrong and when we are hurt or offended, then the lion inside will roar, and be ready to fight. Before we were walking on water peacefully, but now we are ready to sink in the storm, as happened to Peter.
“One class have come up without self-control; they have not bridled the temper or the tongue; and some of these claim to be Christ’s followers, but they are not. Jesus has set them no such example. When they have the meekness and lowliness of the Saviour, they will not act out the promptings of the natural heart, for this is of Satan. Some are nervous, and if they begin to lose self-control in word or spirit under provocation, they are as much intoxicated with wrath as the inebriate is with liquor. They are unreasonable, and not easily persuaded or convinced. They are not sane; Satan for the time has full control.” –The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 3, p. 1161
So long as we are in the world, we will be provoked and irritated; we will be severely tested. “So long as we are in the world, we shall meet with adverse influences. There will be provocations to test the temper; and it is by meeting these in a right spirit that the Christian graces are developed. If Christ dwells in us, we shall be patient, kind, and forbearing, cheerful amid frets and irritations. Day by day and year by year we shall conquer self, and grow into a noble heroism. This is our allotted task; but it cannot be accomplished without help from Jesus, resolute decision, unwavering purpose, continual watchfulness, and unceasing prayer. Each one has a personal battle to fight.” –The Ministry of Healing, p. 487
“It is much easier to play the martyr than to overcome a bad temper.” –The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 3, p. 1160
Yet, it can be done; every sin can be overcome, with the help of God. Satan is tempting everyone; he is offering riches—if only we disobey God and listen to him. Others are tempted by appetite; forbidden foods can destroy our faith. Samson was tempted by Delilah; David fell into sin with Bathsheba after many years of faithfulness. Satan knows our weak points, and he is tempting us in these points, and he does not give up; after many years of faithfulness, he still continues his temptations.
Sister White wrote to a brother in the church who had worked faithfully for many years, helping suffering humanity, but now was discouraged. “I want you to have heaven. I know of no one who would appreciate heaven more than you, who have worked so untiringly to relieve suffering humanity, depriving yourself of sleep, neglecting to take food, bringing but little enjoyment into your life. At times there does not seem to be much sunshine in your path, only one long, continuous shadow. The afflictions you see, the dependent mortals looking and longing for help, your contact with depraved, corrupted human beings—this experience is of a character to undermine your faith in humanity.
“You must, indeed, look to Jesus, keeping your eyes fixed on the glory at the top of the ladder. Through Christ alone can you make sure of heaven, where all is purity, holiness, peace, and blessedness, where there are glories that mortal lips cannot describe. The nearest we can come to a description of the reward that awaits the overcomer is to say that it is a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. It will be an eternity of bliss, a blessed eternity, unfolding new glories throughout the ceaseless ages. . . . I greatly desire that you shall come off more than conqueror through Him who gave His life for you.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 130–131
“When temptations assail you, when care and perplexity surround you, when, depressed and discouraged, you are ready to yield to despair, look to Jesus, and the darkness that encompasses you will be dispelled by the bright shining of His presence. When sin struggles for the mastery in your soul, and burdens the conscience, look to the Saviour.” –The Ministry of Healing, p. 85
Look to Jesus. By beholding Him we are changed. (2 Corinthians 3:18).
“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18
“Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” Isaiah 45:22
Brothers and sisters, should we fail now so near to the end? Satan comes with fierce temptations in a last desperate effort to separate us from God. Not only young people and new members, but also brothers and sisters who faithfully stood like pillars in the church, they all will be tested to the utmost.
After many years of faithful service we can fall; this has happened to great ministers and spiritual leaders—bright stars have gone out in darkness.
To take the first step in our Christian walk, we need Christ, and when we take the last step in the end, we need Christ.
When you are tempted, cry to Jesus. “Lord save me,” like Peter did, and He will lift you up. Look to Him and be saved. Amen.
Timo Martin