READ: Matthew 16:13-23
“Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” – Matthew 16:22-23
Satan loves to invade the church and its leadership. Jesus pointed out to the Pharisees that they were under the influence of the devil. The fact that they were religious leaders did not confuse Jesus. The fact that the Pharisees were senior men of the house of God did not confuse or deceive Jesus Christ. When Peter was appointed as the head of the church he was immediately attacked by the devil. Jesus saw through Peter when he spoke against the cross. He knew the devil had invaded the newly appointed religious leader. It is sad to see how evil spirits have invaded the lives of many religious leaders. When you receive a promotion from the Lord, you must expect an attack from the devil.
You will also need to identify the devil in the “Peters” and the “Judases” of your life. Peter’s closeness to Jesus as well as his strategic positioning made him a strong target for the devil. In your own life and ministry, you will have a “Peter”. This “Peter” could be an associate or assistant pastor or friend. It will take a great deal of understanding and knowledge about the devil to be able to identify the devil when he speaks through your closest and most trusted associate and friend. Will you be able to identify Judas when satan enters into him? Will you know when an evil spirit has invaded one of your close associates?
But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. Matthew 16:23
Develop the gift of discernment! Become like Jesus! Be able to see through the religious façade and the hypocrisies of spiritual leaders.