Jesus told Peter to "get behind thee Satan", is this what He should done? How do we respond? Why?

We had such an awesome conversation in our bible study this week.  I often think that, but don’t always make the time to write about it.  But decided to today.  We were discussing Jesus talking to Peter, and saying “get behind thee Satan” (Matthew 16:23).  So many thoughts come to mind.  Would we say this in front of another person? We decided certainly not if they are an unbeliever.  But then we got into conversations about stumbling blocks, offense, and if someone else is a stumbling block to us, what to do, and to not take things personally.  So, let’s dig into it together.  First, we will look at the whole verse.

The verse states: “But Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me. For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” Matthew 16:23 BSB.  What did Peter say that was so offensive?  Note, King James version says an offense to me, which is another definition of stumbling block.  Well, Jesus had just told His disciples that He would suffer many things at the hands of religious people, and then die, and be raised to life on the third day.  In the natural, you can’t blame Peter.  This was Jesus, Peter’s dear friend, who He knew to be the Messiah, but Peter didn’t understand that Jesus had to suffer and die.  So, it only makes sense that Peter would say “Far be it from You, Lord!”, and “This shall never happen to You!” from Matthew 16:22 BSB.  These sounds like words of care, support, and love.  These are the words however that Jesus claimed came from Satan, and were sent to make Jesus stumble.  They sound like caring words, yet, Jesus makes it clear, that Peter had his mind on the natural, instead of the kingdom of God.  Remember, we are told that “the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.” From Romans 8:7 BSB.  So yes, it’s natural, and excusable in the natural that Peter would say what he did.  However, we are not of this world, we are born again, and are of the kingdom of God.  It seems what Peter said was meant as a kindness, but we can’t just take on and agree with words because they were meant in kindness.  If they are sent from the enemy, or the mind of the flesh (both hostile toward God), to make us stumble, or to be a stumbling block to us, we have to condemn the words, as it tells us to do in Isaiah 54:17.   In other words, don’t agree and nod along with everything, just because it seemed like the person had good intentions. We can love the person, and not agree with the words. 

OK, so we have some ground laid down that Jesus was in the right, to stand against words, even if they were meant kindly.  But since He said the words were a stumbling block, meaning they were sent for the purpose to trip Jesus up, to make Him not succeed in God’s plans, should Jesus be mad at Peter, or walk in victim-hood?  No.  Since we are talking about Jesus, I feel its easy to see that Jesus wouldn’t hold a grudge or unforgiveness toward Peter, or be a victim in mindset or actions.  So, why do we do that?  I am not of course trying to say that we are Jesus. However, I am suggesting that we have the same Holy Spirit in us, and when we are tempted to stay in unforgiveness, or the victim-hood that someone set up a stumbling block for us through the enemy and/or the flesh, that God always gives us a way out.  We don’t even need to feel special, like we are being attacked especially because it says “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man” 1 Corinthians 10:13a BSB.   The temptation to feel like a victim, and have a victim mentality, and/or hold a grudge or respond with an action of anger, or gossip, etc. is there.  God is not the tempter (see James 1:13-14). Satan and our own flesh are.  However, “God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13b BSB.  The caveat is, we have to turn to Him.  He is always giving us a way out, but we have to choose Him, and choose to turn to Him, and not give into the lust of our flesh.  People so often interpret this scripture to include the commonly spoken phrase “God won’t give us more than we can handle”, but that is not what this verse, or scripture in general is saying. God isn’t the giver of the temptation; God is the giver of the way out. Satan will most definitely try to give you more than you can handle, but God is bigger than Satan, or your flesh, and God has already given you everything you need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3-4), and blessed you with every blessing in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3), so you just get to step out and take hold of it, with the help of the helper, the Holy Spirit.

I could keep writing so much, but I thought I’d keep it short, and just remind us all, that our fight isn’t against flesh and blood, we get to forgive, pray and speak life over all. Yet, we don’t accept words that go against what God says, even if it feels like the person meant it nicely. We are not hating that person though, or actually trying to attack them, but we will condemn words that come against God’s plan or God’s word spoken over us.  We will agree with and obey God.  And even if someone is being a stumbling block, we are not a victim, we are more than conqueror, more than an over-comer, and we are walking in victory in Christ, and God always gives us a way to respond differently. So, next time someone speaks lies, keep these scriptures in mind, and stand against the lies, but not against the person, and stand in Christ, in victory.  Have a wonderful day!

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References

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