Bible tells us John 10 that we have an enemy (Satan) and he “comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (v.10). Satan wants to steal our joy, kill the good thing God is doing in us, and ultimately destroy us. Satan’s means of action is to confuse our identity. Satan, the principal adversary of God is the author of confusion but people are the distributors of it even in the church. Satan was the one who had previously tried to get Jesus to take easy way, and today, Satan is roaring more in the church than any other places marketing evil to get God’s people confused in order to corrupt the world and decline the church.

Often, in Scripture Satan is addressed through the creature he is influencing just as Jesus rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan!” (Matt 16:23). The context in the Gospel reading points to Peter’s suggestion that Jesus take a course of action other than the one that He was predestined to fulfil. Jesus knew His destiny, and he knew the will of the Father. What Peter was suggesting was that Jesus go against the will of the Father. The reflection is that, ‘Peter’s words were the words of an adversary of God.’ Peter was speaking for Satan. Like Jesus’ adversary, Peter was not setting his mind on the things of God—His ways, His plans, and His purposes. According to the Epistle of Paul to the Colossians chapter 3, Peter’s mind was set on the things of man, the things of the world and its earthly values whereas, ‘Jesus was saying that the way of the cross was God’s will, the plan of redemption for all mankind.’ The Peters in each of us could speak for Satan, by denying the Gospel of Christ through our spoken words and actions. The Peters in each of us and as a church sets our minds on the things of this world and how to please the world system.

Humanly speaking, Peter just wanted Jesus to live and reign, however his suggestion was in direct opposition to the will of God. Peter as a church symbol may love Jesus and the church and would even do everything to see the church running but as God’s adversary, operating in direct opposition to the will of God. Beloved, Jesus is turning and saying to many Christians and churches today, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” (Matthew 16:23). We act like Satan when we want the Lord to act opposite to His true and Holy nature, putting self and material interests above those of Jesus Christ.

God opposes every human sentiment and expressions that opposes God’s plan and His mission. The lesson is that our self-seeking interference in God’s mission is improper just as Peter’s ‘views and feelings stood in the way of the accomplishment of the Saviour’s designs.’ The warning and rebuke for the improper conduct of Peter conveys a more severe rebuke and warning to easy way Christians and churches today. The rebuke and warning of Peter who stray from a commitment to God by seeking earthly kingdoms and comfort reminds us again that arms of flesh will always. Jesus recognised Satan’s presence  and its usage of Peter to hinder the divine plan to save mankind, hence, Jesus’ response, “Get behind me, Satan.” Today, it is possible for many Christians or churches like Peter to usurp Jesus’ position, diverting from the teaching of the cross, taking on the leadership of the church upon themselves, with the assumption they are for Jesus. Jesus’ rebuke to Peter is an open eye that many Christians, leaders, and churches could be an offence, adversary to the things and mission of God.

Beloved, Satan exists and his strategy is to confuse people by promoting and making vile practices seem good through a centrally planned “program of unabashed propaganda, firmly grounded in long-established principles of psychology and advertising.” To follow Jesus is not an easy road. To follow Jesus calls us to take our cross which according to Donald Senior ‘implies an intentional and active commitment to follow Christ, including embracing the possibility of rejection and suffering and even death itself for the sake of the gospel.’ Let us prayerfully sing John Peterson’s hymn titled, ‘It s not an easy road,’ as we pray and repent of every satanic influences in our Christian journey, leadership, and church in general.


It’s not an easy road
We are trav’ling to heaven,
For many are the thorns on the way;
It’s not an easy road,
But the Savior is with us,
His presence gives us joy ev’ry day.


Chrs: No, no, it’s not an easy road,
No, no, it’s not an easy road;
But Jesus walks beside me
And brightens the journey,
And lightens ev’ry heavy load.

It’s not an easy road
There are trials and troubles
And many are the dangers we meet;
But Jesus guards and keeps
So that nothing can harm us,
And smooths the rugged path for our feet.

Chrs:

Tho’ I am often footsore
And weary from travel,
Tho’ I am often bowed down with care,
Well a better day is coming
When home in the glory
We’ll rest in perfect peace over there.

Chrs: