Mark 14:29-31–Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.” 30 And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.”  31 But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all said the same. 

One of the greatest motivators and deterrents of people is to be told that they cannot do something.  Some people “rise above” the obstacles in their life because they were told what they could not do, which can be a good thing…

But trying to prove God wrong when He has spoken directly throgh His word of what you cannot do, is to set yourself up for destruction!  Peter is provoked by his pride to prove Jesus wrong, though Jesus plainly tells him how his own strength will fail him, his pride can’t accept such “failure talk”!

Peter would have to learn that God was not going to allow a future leader to be influential by anything other than grace by the Spirit, not his charisma and prideful determination.  Had not Peter failed he would’ve influenced a lot of people to be determined and valiant, but prideful against God and His Word….

When Peter boldly refused to submit to God’s Word, the other disciples boldly did as well!  Did you know your influence is that powerful?  Are you so determined and ambitious for yourself, yet influencing people to be self-exalting and prideful against God and His Word?  God breaks us for a reason, and many times if not all the time, it is because we want to prove to ourselves and others that we are able without Him, influencing rebellion not faith!