Sifted

By Shirley Mitchell

“ ‘Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.  But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail.  And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.’

But he replied, ‘Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.’

Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.’ “

Luke 22:31-34

My Bible says the Greek word for “you” in Luke 22:31 is plural.  In my Kentucky language, “Satan has asked to sift you all as wheat.”  All of the disciples were sifted.  In v.32, Jesus spoke directly to Peter about His specific prayer for him in this warfare.  Many scholars believe satan attacked Peter with greater force than the others.  As the leader of the disciples, he took the brunt of satan’s fury against the disciples.  Please notice that satan had to ask God for permission before he could mess with the disciples.

In the Greek, the word “sift” is siniazo which means “to sift, to shake as grain in a sieve, to agitate and prove by trials and afflictions.”  One sifts wheat by placing it in a sieve and shaking it until the tares, chaff, and perhaps stones surface and are separated.  The evil one asked to give Peter the shake-down test because he knew Peter had some fake in him.  God knew it, too.  Since satan knew where the holes were in Peter’s spiritual armor, he wanted to expose to Peter what was deep inside himself.  He wanted to heap ruin, defeat, and shame on Peter to nullify him for the kingdom of God. 

God allowed satan to sift Peter because He knew the outcome.  Jesus told him it was certain that he would turn back.  He said when, not if.

Peter had a false sense of readiness.  He thought he was ready to go to prison and to even die for Jesus.  Yet, before this night was over, he would not even be able to admit knowing Jesus!  How could he be so mistaken?

I think what I’m afraid of most in life is myself.  I know there is still some chaff in me.  I know I have not become immune to applause of man.  I know I have not become inoculated from the criticism of people.  I know my heart is prone to wander.  I know how easy it is for my body to say “Enough!  Rest and get some sleep.”  I know the gaps in my mind that lack being the mind of Christ. 

In order to press on to the goal that He has called me to, I tighten my grip to the Word of God.  I cling to the knowledge that my God is greater than the powers of this world (1 John 4:4)  that would love to ruin my testimony to the watching world, shatter my life, slap the chains back on me, and return me to the prison of darkness.  I attach myself to the truth that my God is greater than my heart that can deceive me if it is not consecrated to Him (1 John 3:20).  I realize that I am becoming immune to people’s adoration and criticism.  I realize my mind is becoming the mind of Christ.  I am growing in godliness.  I hold fast to my motivation for all that I do – the love of Christ compels me (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).  I must keep pressing on because of His great love for me and for you.

It is with tears that I type this.  I want you to know this love with every part of your being.  The love of Christ has transformed my life.  Unlike what the world tells us, people can change but only through the divine work of God.  I am changed!  I am new!  I have been filled with the love of Christ, and I desire for you to be filled with Him, too.  I yearn for you to be a new creation.  I ache for you to become one who fulfills her purpose and is a fruitful worker on the harvest field.  I appeal to you to be a mighty warrior and to take your place on the battlefield no longer shirking your duties, but living the life of a servant of Christ.

Pray with me:  Oh, LORD, I want to be transformed to be more like Christ - a new creation.  I want to fulfill my purpose and be a bondservant to Christ.  When I am sifted, help me to turn back to You.  I’m not so arrogant that I don’t know that I am susceptible to the attacks of the enemy.  I know that he has methods that will work on me.  So help me tighten my grip on Your Word so the failures will be less, and the healing time after an attack becomes shorter and shorter.  Praise You, God, that You are greater than any power in this world that dares to come against me.  Praise You, Almighty God, that You are also greater than my heart.  Praise You that Your love is so amazing that it surpasses all understanding and compels me to keep serving and worshipping You.  It’s in the Name above all names, in Jesus’ Name, Yeshua’s Name, I pray.  Amen.

Excerpt from the Jesus Lives Bible study