Matthew 26:73, After a while those who stood by came to Peter and said, “Surely you also are one of them, for your accent betrays you.”
What is it that “gives you away” as a follower of Christ? Would it be the gentleness of your spirit or the way you love others? What is it that, when others see it, lets them know that you are “one of them”?
When Jesus was arrested, all the disciples fled. Scripture says that although Peter did follow the crowds as they led Jesus away, he did so at a distance. Peter wanted to see what was going on, but he was afraid to be associated with Christ at that point. And, just as Jesus had predicted, Peter denied knowing Him three times.
The crowd knew that Jesus’ followers were from Galilee, and they had recognizable accents. So no matter how much Peter denied it, his accent gave him away.
Obviously, we don’t ever want to deny Christ. But, like Peter, there should be something about us that makes it clear to those around us where our devotion lies. Early on in Jesus’ earthly ministry, He taught the disciples an important lesson: a healthy tree bears good fruit while a diseased tree bears bad fruit (Matthew 7:17). A person can know whether a tree is healthy or not by the fruit it bears. The fruit gives it away every time.
Likewise, our fruit as a believer should give us away. We are told that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, and self-control. May these things be so ingrained in you that those around you would say, “Surely you are one of them.”
