By: Obed Pineda
Sometimes the challenge is not when we lose a friend, but when we have the friend who gives bad advice. It is fair to clarify that a true friend does not do it to harm you, but sometimes they actually believe that they are helping. There is no doubt that if a person gives advice knowing that it is bad, therefore, he is not a friend. This is why Scripture teaches, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity” (Proverbs 17:17). Curiously, this was one of the obstacles that the Son of God encountered while he was here on earth. Although it is true that He loved all his disciples, it is just as true that there was a more intimate closeness with some more than others. We can infer from the action Jesus took in giving his bread to Judas, and from what the Psalm says, that at one time Judas and Jesus had a very close and special relationship (cf. Psalm 41:9). Similarly, the Bible shows us the closeness between Jesus and John by recounting how John was lying close to Christ’s chest on the night He was to be betrayed and how Jesus entrusted John with the care of His mother from His cross (cf. John 13:23- 25, 19:25-27). Nor can we forget those three disciples who are tenderly called the “intimate circle of Jesus,” who were present during the transfiguration and invited by the Lord to accompany Him to the Garden of Gethsemane to watch and pray together with Him (cf. Matthew 17:1-21, 26:36-46). But perhaps the most fascinating and tender relationship we find in the Bible is none other than that of Jesus with Simon Peter. It could be said that Peter’s love for the Master was just as fervent as the love of John, the beloved disciple. Indeed, the dynamic between the Lord and Peter reveals a great deal about the friendship the two shared. For example, when the Lord walked on the sea, only Peter had the courage and faith to ask Him for permission to also walk on the water; and Christ allowed it (cf. Matthew 14:25-29). When the Lord asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” it was only Peter who responded “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:15-16). It was in this moment, when Christ entrusted Peter with His most precious possession: “And I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 16:19a). It is undeniable that the trust that the Lord Jesus had in Peter was great, as can be seen by giving him the responsibility of opening the doors of the Church after He left this earth. There is no doubt that Peter was always a loyal disciple and friend of our Lord as well. For this reason, it is curious to read in the pages inspired by God about an occasion where this same Peter was the one giving bad advice to the Master. Matthew tells us that after Peter’s confession, “Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying ‘Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!’ But He turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men” (Matthew 16:21-23). It is wise to understand why our Lord calls Peter “Satan.” We must not confuse and err in believing that Christ was calling his disciple a “devil” or a “demon”. While it is true that the Savior is rebuking Peter, especially after making such a great confession of faith, telling him that he was being a “devil or demon” would be more of an offensive insult than a rebuke. Let us remember that the Holy Scriptures instruct us that “for whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives” but also warns “Chasten your son while there is hope, and do not set your heart on his destruction” (Hebrews 12:6, Proverbs 19:18). Understanding that the Scriptures were inspired by God, it would be illogical to conclude that the Lord, who is God, would do something that would have undoubtedly destroyed Peter. When examining the interpretation of the word “satan,” you will realize that the word interpreted into English is “adversary.” According to the lexicon, the word is defined as “one who opposes another in purpose or action.” (Thayer, G4567). Although it is true that this word is also applied to identify the Serpent of old, within the context used by our Lord it is to rebuke Peter for his opposition to Him fulfilling the will of the Father. Notice that He tells him, “You are a stumbling block” through the carnal advice that he was wanting to give our Savior. There is no doubt that Peter’s intentions were noble and good, seeking to protect the Master from harm, much more having confirmed that he was certainly the Messiah they had longed for. However, Peter’s mistake was to think and react carnally. The Lord immediately corrects the mistake of His friend, seeking to help him mature spiritually in his way of reasoning. Here is an example that we learn from Him on how to overcome the obstacle of bad advice. The Lord shows us the advantage of keeping our mind fixed on the Holy Scriptures when overcoming said obstacle. Undoubtedly, Peter had not forgotten this reprieve from the Master since later he himself exhorts, “Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God” (1st Peter 4:1-2). What the apostle was inspired to write, the Lord Jesus had first applied it with him. When He admonished Peter, He did not take him for an enemy. Rather, He corrected him so that he would learn the deficiency in his spirituality with those carnal thoughts. We, must do the same when a friend gives us advice that opposes God’s purposes. We should not be afraid that we will lose a friend for correcting him, as long as it is done according to the inspired Scriptures, with a spirit of meekness.