Speak to what is behind

I am fascinated by the words of Jesus, reported in Matthew 16:23 and Mark 8:33 when he rebukes Peter. Jesus was teaching his disciples about his spiritual kingdom and showing them great and mighty things. Everything is going along swimmingly until he reminds them of the cost. "From that time forth began Jesus to show unto His disciples that He must go unto Jerusalem and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day." Immediately Peter rebukes Jesus and speaks against the possibility that they could lose their precious Jesus.

Don't we all lose our focus at times? We get so enamored of a moment in time that we begin to focus on our circumstances. We are so focused on our physical surroundings that we ignore the spiritual. Peter was hanging out with Jesus, enjoying the moment and disregarding everything that Jesus was teaching. Note that Jesus did not hesitate to rebuke Peter immediately. "Get thee behind me, Satan!" I always thought that seemed a tad harsh. After all, Peter is becoming one of the most loyal followers of Jesus.

Recently I had an experience with a woman, who came across my path one evening. I wanted to bless her so I invited her for lunch. I was amazed and distressed to find that she only wanted to spew drama and negativity in spite of my efforts to speak God's word and truth over her mind and heart. Not only did she not leave for hours but she returned uninvited and began to call me to continue this behavior.

I reached out to a dear brother in Christ, who explained to me that it was not this woman but demonic activity behind her causing her to spew garbage. He showed me how to speak to what was behind her; to rebuke the enemy in the name of Jesus. What a powerful lesson for me to learn. I now have and encourage other to get the book, Prayers, from Christian Word Ministries in Lexington, Kentucky.

I have been asking God of late to reveal to me more of the spiritual world and to give me more wisdom and discernment in my daily walk. I think this was part of my answer. Now when I read that passage about Peter, I realize that Jesus was not speaking directly to Peter, he was addressing the entity that was behind his words.

This is a beginning of something new in me. This is a new level of warfare and of confidence in my Heavenly Father. I find that I am less reactive now to my circumstances, to people around me and the words they speak. I am looking for what is behind each and every experience. I am also more careful to stay connected to my Heavenly Father and to stay covered with his armor (Ephesians 6). Praise God for growth!