Get Behind Me

Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan!" Matthew 16:23a

In this passage (Matthew 16:21-28), Jesus is explaining to his disciples that he must suffer, die, and be raised to life. Peter then takes Jesus to the side and rebukes him saying, "Never Lord! This shall never happen to you!" By saying this, Peter is directly contradicting Jesus words, which we know are truth.

Instead of becoming offended or full of rage and rebuking Peter right back, Jesus said, "Get behind me, Satan!" He didn't say "Peter," because Peter was not the problem. It was Satan speaking through Peter.

Satan was the one Jesus needed to rebuke in order to stop the negative flow of words. Ephesians 6:12 says "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

That means that we shouldn't struggle against people, but against the devil and his forces. And the good news is that they are already defeated! So when somebody speaks negative and hurtful words to you, don't get mad and offended at them - rebuke the devil behind those words! And he has to flee! (James 4:7)

Scripture Readings: Matthew 16:21-28; Ephesians 6:10-18