1.  Pride – Peter said he would never deny!
2.  Preparation – Peter stayed with the wrong crowd.
3.  Perpetration – Peter denied any association with the Lord Jesus.

In order to defeat denial I must first have a humble, reliant spirit toward God for His help.  I must realize that I am capable of any sin.  I must also take practical steps to avoid the temptation of denying the Lord. Peter “walked in the counsel of the ungodly”, “stood in the way of sinners” and “sat in the seat of the scornful”. (Psalm 1:1-3)  Peter should have fled temptation from the wrong crowd.  “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise but a companion of fools shall be destroyed” (Proverbs 13:20)  Choosing the right friends and being in the right places at the right times will reduce temptation to deny Christ.  Last, be a person of  integrity with my words.  I should not have to make an oath to be believed.  Instead, purpose to identify with Christ and be ready with an answer to stand alone for His glory.  Practice saying, “I have given my life to Jesus Christ and  I am learning to please Him”.