Defensiveness

Defensiveness is a natural response when we’re confronted with the truth or with something we would rather not deal with. The Apostle Peter is a perfect example of this. In the Upper Room, when Jesus begins to wash his feet, Peter reacts by saying, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet!” (John 13:6-8). He didn’t want His Master to do this because, by implication, he would have to lower himself to do the same.

Another time, after Jesus’ arrest, Peter was identified as one of his disciples. He replied, “I am not.” Confronted twice more, he repeated his false denial (John 18:17-27). Peter was afraid of the consequences of being associated with Jesus at that moment.

Finally, while on a walk with the risen Jesus, the Lord reveals Peter’s eventual fate in this life. Not liking what he had just heard, Peter asked (referring to John), “What about him?” The Lord’s answer was simple, “I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me” (John 21:17b-22).

The common responses when we are defensive are denial and deflection. Rather than face the truth, we seek to avoid it. This has happened many times in my relationship with my wife. She’ll say something or I’ll say something, and our reactions are defensive in nature. It might be about a light being left on, or a critique of some behavior, or how we might have handled something differently than we did.

I have also noticed this many times among believers when their preferred politicians are criticized truthfully. Usually, the first reaction is either to defend them or point to a politician of a different party and do what Peter did: “What about him?”

As mature Christians, we should embrace the truth regardless of how it might impact us or our view of the world. We should be willing to acknowledge our own faults and missteps, those of our children, of our favored politicians, church leaders, etc. If Jesus is the Truth (John 14:6), then we should be seeking and acknowledging truth in every aspect of our lives.

I see a lot of bondage in our nation. Many are bound by ideas and beliefs that are untrue; yet they will defend them because the truth is threatening to them. All of us need to be reminded by the words of Jesus: “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32).

Let’s not be afraid of the truth. It is the way to freedom.

© Jim Musser 2025 All Scripture quotations are from the New International Version, 2011.