READING: Hosea 1-3, Matthew 16
The contrast could not be more dramatic. Simon Peter got it right when he declared that Jesus was “the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matt 16:16). He did not on his own come up with that answer, however. Rather, Jesus reminded him that “flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father in heaven” (Matt 16:17). At least on this day, Simon Peter spoke the words and truths the Father had given him. It was indeed a good day for the apostle.
Not every day was so good for him, however. In fact, he later rebuked Jesus for talking about his death, and Jesus’ response then was surely painful: “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me because you’re not thinking about God’s concerns but human concerns” (Matt 16:23). I cannot imagine hearing these words. Peter, who had previously been a vessel of God’s truth, was now a mouthpiece for the enemy. From the mountaintop of a previous day to the deep valley of this day, Peter’s world had gone into precipitous decline. From the same mouth came the words of God and then the words of the enemy.
Lest we judge Peter too harshly, though, all of us tend to walk in the same shoes. One day, we listen to the Father and speak only that which glorifies Him. On other days, we follow the enemy down a path of immoral and ungodly speech. Some days we sing God’s praises all day and look for His coming; other days, we speak only of ourselves and seek our own glory.
All from the same mouth.
Just like James warned us: “With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in God’s likeness. Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth” (James 3:9-10).
We are wise, then, to hear James’ next words: “My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way” (James 3:10).
PRAYER: “God, guard my lips today. Help me to keep my focus on You.”
MONDAY’S READING: Hosea 4-6, Psalm 58, Matthew 17
