The good and bad qualities of Peter

[WilliamBo]

We all know that Peter is known for denying Christ 3 times. So many people say they can relate to Peter because of his stubbornness and Rebellion. But I've been thinking about it and I realize, I think, that Peter simply had qualities given by God that by Nature, when not living for God, come off as stubborn and strong-willed. Am I right on this? What do you guys think?

I've heard all kinds of stuff, like Peter would be diagnosed as ADHD if he live today, Peter would have been a biker or in a biker gang, all kinds of silly stuff like that about Peter. When I personally think about Peter, the word that comes to mind is "impulsive". He seemed very impulsive with his reactions and decisions. Like when Moses, Elijah, and Jesus were all standing on top of the mountain Peter blurted out oh let me build a monument for all three of you. That seems very impulsive to me. But on the positive side, his impulsiveness was good because he went out and walked on the water when Jesus was calling him while the other disciples were possibly too afraid to. He also seemed prideful, but again when that was translated into living for God then he had the strongest Faith, right?

One reason I'm making this thread is because I feel like my natural nature is similar to Peters, so I'm curious what other people think. I was diagnosed with ADHD as a kid, I have always been very impulsive and kind of an "adrenaline junkie", and I'm wondering if there is a positive side to this? . I know we all have qualities that other people have but I think it would be interesting to discuss Peters personality because he is such a hot topic of discussion.

Of all the disciples, why was Satan demanding that he sift Peter? Why not anyone else?

 

[TuxAme]

Satan certainly targeted the other apostles (namely, Judas), but he targeted Peter in particular because he was the leader of the apostles. Just like Satan targeted Jesus because He was (and is) the leader of them all, so did he desire to assault Peter.

 

[paul becke]

Hello Willbo

For me, Peter's outstanding quality was his humility. Yes, we tend to categorise him as an impulsive, hot-head, but when a crippled man he cures wants to lionize him, he won't have it at all, immediately pointing to God as the author of his cure, and stating that he was no more than a fellow-servant of God, like himself. While basically true that God made us all 'other Christs', and out of nothing, yet, like John, Peter seems to have had a relationship with Jesus that was a little different, a little warmer.

Seemingly a partner in a fishing boat with his brother, Andrew, Peter was nevertheless an ordinary guy, a manual worker, and less disposed to pride, however naturally it came to Paul, as a Pharisee.

This was, I believe, precisely the response of the angel who appeared to, I think, Daniel (but maybe Ezekiel) : Get up off your knees. 'I am but a fellow-servant of the Lord' (not necessarily verbatim).

We rightly prize humility as a 'sine qua non', but in the end, what is it, but common sense? God made everything out of nothing, including each one of us, personally. So, Peter evidently was blessed with profound common sense.

He certainly 'put two and two together' where Jesus was concerned very easily and quickly. And was there not a certain childlike innocence about his impetuous enthusiasm. He loved Jesus as a child loves his father, and evidently the Father responded in kind.

 

[eleos1954]

We all know that Peter is known for denying Christ 3 times. So many people say they can relate to Peter because of his stubbornness and Rebellion. But I've been thinking about it and I realize, I think, that Peter simply had qualities given by God that by Nature, when not living for God, come off as stubborn and strong-willed. Am I right on this? What do you guys think?

I've heard all kinds of stuff, like Peter would be diagnosed as ADHD if he live today, Peter would have been a biker or in a biker gang, all kinds of silly stuff like that about Peter. When I personally think about Peter, the word that comes to mind is "impulsive". He seemed very impulsive with his reactions and decisions. Like when Moses, Elijah, and Jesus were all standing on top of the mountain Peter blurted out oh let me build a monument for all three of you. That seems very impulsive to me. But on the positive side, his impulsiveness was good because he went out and walked on the water when Jesus was calling him while the other disciples were possibly too afraid to. He also seemed prideful, but again when that was translated into living for God then he had the strongest Faith, right?

One reason I'm making this thread is because I feel like my natural nature is similar to Peters, so I'm curious what other people think. I was diagnosed with ADHD as a kid, I have always been very impulsive and kind of an "adrenaline junkie", and I'm wondering if there is a positive side to this? . I know we all have qualities that other people have but I think it would be interesting to discuss Peters personality because he is such a hot topic of discussion.

Of all the disciples, why was Satan demanding that he sift Peter? Why not anyone else?

Here are a few different translations of Luke 22:31 as examples

New International Version
"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat.

New Living Translation
"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat.

English Standard Version
“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat,

Berean Study Bible
Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat.

Berean Literal Bible
Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have all of you to sift like wheat.

New American Standard Bible
"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat;

When looking it up in the Greek ... this is found.
su: you (early mod. Eng. thou)
Original Word: σύ, σοῦ, σοί, σέ
Part of Speech: Personal Pronoun
Transliteration: su
Phonetic Spelling: (soo)
Short Definition: you
Definition: you.

NASB Translation
number (1), yours (17), yourself (4), yourselves (20), yourselves* (3).

However, when I searched the scriptures ... it is translated many different ways, such as you, of you, to you, of you, all of you (just as the examples above)

"sift" you like wheat - they are trials

And all the apostles had trials ... so Peter was not the only one sifted.

It should also be noted He was talking directly TO Peter.

 

[GTW27]

We all know that Peter is known for denying Christ 3 times. So many people say they can relate to Peter because of his stubbornness and Rebellion. But I've been thinking about it and I realize, I think, that Peter simply had qualities given by God that by Nature, when not living for God, come off as stubborn and strong-willed. Am I right on this? What do you guys think?

I've heard all kinds of stuff, like Peter would be diagnosed as ADHD if he live today, Peter would have been a biker or in a biker gang, all kinds of silly stuff like that about Peter. When I personally think about Peter, the word that comes to mind is "impulsive". He seemed very impulsive with his reactions and decisions. Like when Moses, Elijah, and Jesus were all standing on top of the mountain Peter blurted out oh let me build a monument for all three of you. That seems very impulsive to me. But on the positive side, his impulsiveness was good because he went out and walked on the water when Jesus was calling him while the other disciples were possibly too afraid to. He also seemed prideful, but again when that was translated into living for God then he had the strongest Faith, right?

One reason I'm making this thread is because I feel like my natural nature is similar to Peters, so I'm curious what other people think. I was diagnosed with ADHD as a kid, I have always been very impulsive and kind of an "adrenaline junkie", and I'm wondering if there is a positive side to this? . I know we all have qualities that other people have but I think it would be interesting to discuss Peters personality because he is such a hot topic of discussion.

Of all the disciples, why was Satan demanding that he sift Peter? Why not anyone else?

It matters not what Peter and Apostles where like before they received The Power from on High. What matters is Jesus loved them and chose them just as they were. So He does with us. Denying The Lord three times just shows the fear and weakness, that is in every man, before they are born from above.(Received Power from on High). I remember that same fear in myself long ago. And what I know about the adversary, is that he is always up to challenge, he whom The Lord loves. Remember, that he was cast out of The Lord Presence. That in itself, has got to hurt his pride. When looking at the Apostles, as you have been doing, look at the before, then look at the after(after receiving Power from on High). My guess is that if the adversary been permission to sift Peter after Pentocost, he would not have been able. Peter would have just rebuked him with The Power and Authority given him. Hope this helps.

 

[John Bowen]

Like everything Jesus said it has a lot more meanings than just the surface level Jesus was speaking to all of us in his teachings .When Jesus said Peter was the rock he just didn't mean Peter , but everyone who recognizes the Christ . Although Peter recognized the Christ he wasn't willing to let Jesus take him out of his mental box so to speak .What the Christ should do how the Christ should be .That's why Jesus said get the behind me satan to challenge him to change his mentality.Which he was speaking to all of us .I wouldn't follow Peter's way I would follow Jesus's way that means as Paul said "I die daily " letting the outer self die who we are and being reborn to a new self .

 

[WilliamBo]

Here are a few different translations of Luke 22:31 as examples

New International Version
"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat.

New Living Translation
"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat.

English Standard Version
“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat,

Berean Study Bible
Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat.

Berean Literal Bible
Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have all of you to sift like wheat.

New American Standard Bible
"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat;

When looking it up in the Greek ... this is found.
su: you (early mod. Eng. thou)
Original Word: σύ, σοῦ, σοί, σέ
Part of Speech: Personal Pronoun
Transliteration: su
Phonetic Spelling: (soo)
Short Definition: you
Definition: you.

NASB Translation
number (1), yours (17), yourself (4), yourselves (20), yourselves* (3).

However, when I searched the scriptures ... it is translated many different ways, such as you, of you, to you, of you, all of you (just as the examples above)

"sift" you like wheat - they are trials

And all the apostles had trials ... so Peter was not the only one sifted.

Thank you for that word study.

 

[paul becke]

I was always struck by the statement that Jesus looked round at the others before saying, 'Get thee behind me, Satan.' as if he decided at that point to use Peter's remark as a teaching aid, rather than simply making to Peter, personally, the dire, if objectively factual, association of Peter's words with the worldly cast of mind, and hence the Devil.

 

[Serving Zion]

I remembered your thread when this song came on to play and I'd like to share it with you

.. nice to be remembering you too btw, and I trust you're staying well on top of things

 

[FireDragon76]

I don't see Peter as stubborn or rebellious, I believe that misses his character altogether.

I don't see Peter as merely impulsive. He's very zealous.

 

[paul becke]

It matters not what Peter and Apostles where like before they received The Power from on High. What matters is Jesus loved them and chose them just as they were. So He does with us. Denying The Lord three times just shows the fear and weakness, that is in every man, before they are born from above.(Received Power from on High). I remember that same fear in myself long ago. And what I know about the adversary, is that he is always up to challenge, he whom The Lord loves. Remember, that he was cast out of The Lord Presence. That in itself, has got to hurt his pride. When looking at the Apostles, as you have been doing, look at the before, then look at the after(after receiving Power from on High). My guess is that if the adversary been permission to sift Peter after Pentocost, he would not have been able. Peter would have just rebuked him with The Power and Authority given him. Hope this helps.

The Apostles were each a unique person, before receiving the Power from on High, and thus their characters were uniquely interesting both before and after receiving the Power from on High.