A large number of words in English can be formed by using the prefix Self-. Some refer to potentially good things such as self-examination, self-abasement, self-denial, self-discipline, self-restraint. Some are more dubious. Self assertion, self-esteem, self-help, self-respect, self-regard. These have their dangers. Others are clearly opposed to what the gospel teaches. For example, self-conceit, self-importance, self-reliance, self-righteousness, self-seeking.
Amongst these is the dangerous sin of self-confidence. It was the area in which the apostle Peter, in particular, famously came to grief. It is the reason why he petered out. Despite Christ's solemn warning Peter fell. We will fall to if we do not escape from the stupidity of self-confidence. 'Beware of no man more than yourself' warns C H Spurgeon. He was steeped in the Puritans and no doubt had read their warnings. Flavel referred to self as a man's household god. Goodwin labelled it the spirit of unregeneracy. A later writer called it the beginning of unfaithfulness. More recently, Jim Packer has warned, We can never distrust ourselves too much. "I" trouble is perhaps our biggest problem. Again and again we put confidence in ourselves instead of in God. Christ's dealings with Peter prior to his denial stand as a lasting warning against such foolishness. The following points, that arise out of the passages where the warning is recorded, reveal the stupidity of self-confidence.
1 Satan's great desire for you to be self-confident proves the stupidity of such a course
Luke 22:31 reveals Satan's role in Peter's downfall, Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. It reminds us of the opening chapters of Job. Simon (Jesus deliberately uses that name) was no rock. The other disciples are included (the you is plural) but Jesus speaks especially to Peter.
Satan wants to sift us all. Sifting was used to separate the grain from the husks. To sift, then, means to shake and then to blow on in order to separate good from bad. The choice of word no doubt points to God's purposes in allowing this. The Devil's hope was that Peter would be sifted out but Jesus has prayed for him. It is the Devil's masterpiece to make us think well of ourselves, observed one writer. He himself fell, through pride, and he knows it is the easiest way to make others fall too. Watch out!
2 Past failings should warn you against the stupidity of present self-confidence
It was not as if Peter had not made similar mistakes in the past. Good intentions are never enough. We must learn from past mistakes. Peter failed to do this.
- Remember the incident of walking on the water recorded in Matthew 14. Even if Peter was not guilty of self-confidence at the beginning, looking away from Jesus to the wind and the waves is another species of the same thing. Despairing self-confidence is an oxymoron but it exists I He should have learned to keep his eyes on Jesus.
- In Matthew 16 he receives a stern rebuke. What else but self-confidence could have led Peter to speak to Jesus in such a way? One would think it impossible to forget such a rebuke.
- In John 13 we read how Peter at first refused to have his feet washed by Jesus. Although he quickly reversed his decision, it again shows too high an estimate of self before Jesus. Peter having got it wrong once that evening one would think humility must follow but no. And where has your self-confidence in the past got you? Only away from the Lord and into a mess. Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18) or to quote an uninspired proverb 'History teaches us that history teaches us nothing'. We ought to learn humility and self-distrust from our past mistakes.
3 The Bible contains many warnings against the stupidity of self-confidence
- In the Old Testament. Matthew tells us (26:31) that Christ quoted Zechariah 13:11 They will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered but this has no impact on Peter. One of the chief lessons of the Old Testament is how easily people fall. Think of Israel in the desert and under the Judges; think of the Northern Kings and many in the south; think of the Exile.
- Christ. Christ himself gives both a general warning to all and a specific warning to Peter. But Peter will not listen. The New Testament contains many similar warnings. We neglect such warnings at our peril.
4 Self-confidence proudly places confidence in self and despises others
This comes out in the very way Peter expresses himself. See Matthew 26:33 (Mark 14:29, Luke 22:24) Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.
- He had a high view of self. Are you like that? Is your head swollen? A Puritan has written. 'Inexpert Christians can hardly believe themselves so weak and sinful as the Lord's word shows them to be, but so much the more as they have an honest purpose to stand they have a fleshly confidence in their own strength.'
- He had a low view of others. But remember Philippians 2:3, In humility consider others better than yourselves. Jesus takes up this aspect of Peter's pride after the resurrection when he asks him, to his shame Do you truly love me more than these? (John 21:15). By that time he had learned to stop comparing himself with others. It is a lesson Paul learned too and sought to get over to the Corinthians, when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves he says of the false teachers, they are not wise. All boasting must be in the Lord. It is not the one who commends himself who is approved but he whom the Lord commends (2 Corinthians 10:12-18). Have you learned that lesson?
Even if I have to die with you says Peter, I will never disown you (Matthew 26:35, Mark 14:31). Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death (Luke 22:33). In fact, Peter was not ready at all. Are you miscalculating your powers? Knowing yourself is an important part of true wisdom. Pray Search me, O God, and know my heart, ... see if there is any offensive way in me ... (Psalm 139:23, 24). 'He that trusts most to his own strength is nearest to the most fearful fall' adds the Puritan quoted above.
6 Self-confidence is impatient with the unfolding of God's purposes
It comes out only in John's gospel but clearly Peter is way ahead of himself. Jesus speaks of his departure and Peter asks where Jesus is going. Jesus says Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later. But Peter is insistent, even petulant, Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you (John 13:36, 37). Yes, the time would come when he would bravely die for the Lord's glory but he was hardly ready for it at this point.
I remember as a 16 year old being eager to get into a Bible College and out as a pastor, a work I was far from ready for at 18. A further eight years of study did me no harm as I learned the sentiment of Lamentations 3:27. The Lord's timing is best.
7 Self-confidence has far too high an idea of its own self importance
It was not that Peter was going to die for Jesus but Jesus was going to die for Peter. Will you really lay down your life for me? (John 13:38). So often we think about what we are going to do for God. But what really matters is what he has done for us. What we do is only in response to what he has already done. See the definition of love in 1 John 4:10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Peter would one day die for his Lord but not before his Lord had first died for him. So let us all beware of self-confidence in its various forms. Flee Satan; learn from past mistakes; take note of the Bible's many warnings; seek humility; look to God; be patient; keep uppermost in your mind what Christ has done for you. Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.
