Loving Temptation
In Mark 8:32, Peter takes Jesus aside to rebuke Him.
On Sunday, I clarified that this rebuke of Peter was simply an outpouring of love. Because Peter loved Jesus so much, he could not stand even considering that Jesus would suffer. Peter could not stand for it!
There are a lot of things that we do out of love. We help, care, serve, listen, and offer advice. We clean dishes, make beds, fold laundry, run errands, and buy gifts for those we love.
There can also be danger in loving that can actually be harmful.
You know the old proverb: “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” If you have ever tried to teach someone, you know that in that moment they would much prefer you to give than teach.
I catch myself in parenting giving more fish than teaching to fish. It is easier for me and Cooper. It is less messy and takes less time. But he must learn to fish.
Furthermore, it is easier to protect him from any danger, pain, or disappointment. I am working on this as well. Rather than constantly warning about the consequences of jumping on the bed, not wearing a helmet, or why to hold a plate with two hands, I am giving him space to goof around and find out. I could bubble wrap him for 18 years, but eventually he will be released into the world. If I protect him from every challenge or problem now, he will never be prepared to handle issues then.
In the book When Helping Hurts, Brian Fikkert and Steve Corbett argue that at times loving others is not doing for them or giving them money to handle it. In fact, we can do more damage when we never expect anyone to lift a finger on their own.
Peter loved Jesus, but his help was not helpful. Peter was, in fact, tempting Jesus to deny God’s plan for a choice of peace. Sometimes love tempts people away from obedience because we want to spare them pain.
Consider today:
Are you loving those in your life for their benefit or for your benefit?
Is your love helping them or delaying the inevitable?
How can you help someone in a way that helps them not only in the moment but for days and years to come? This help will take more time, energy, and thought, but it is for the best.
