While reading the Bible account of Jesus betrayal and denial, I was struck by the thought that Peter, although he was literally following Jesus, was at the same time warming himself by a strange fire.
John 18:15- 18 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple:that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not. And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold:and they warmed themselves:and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself
First thought was that Peter Loved Jesus so much he followed Him into the enemy’s camp! What the Scriptures seem to describe is a courtyard with a security gate surrounding the home of the High Priest. While Peter hung out in the courtyard, the other disciple went on in the house.
Peter’s denial of Jesus came as he warmed himself at the enemy’s fire!
How often do we too warm ourselves at the enemy’s fires?
One of the hardest Spiritual truths to live by is “be ye separate”. We are not to be like the world.
Matt 6:24No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
Matt 12: 30 “He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters.
We need to understand that the world is in a spiritual warfare between good and evil. The scriptures teach that there is go gray area. Either you are for Jesus or against Him. Either an activity honors God, or not. This concept really hits home. Many of our leisure activities will not stand before the light of the Scriptures!
How often do we too warm ourselves at the enemy’s fires?
What Strange fires in your life do you enjoy?