6) Get behind me Satan

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He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. ‘Get behind me, Satan!’ he said. ‘You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.’ (Mark 8:31-33)

As we noted in the last hard saying, Jesus treated Satan as an individual and not a mystical idea [see ‘Your father the devil’ for more detail]. We shall see as we look at this hard saying that Satan is a very powerful agent whose actions can be very significant.

In the incident here, Jesus took the unusual step of rebuking his nominated apostolic leader, Peter. Furthermore, he did it publicly in the hearing of his disciples; and most significantly, he did it after considering how his followers would be affected by what they heard:

But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter.

deliverance

The reason for what seems a harsh response is the context. Whilst in the middle of a successful season of preaching the gospel, performing miracles and gathering crowds of thousands, Jesus suddenly spoke of the ‘end game’. If we accept the chronology of Mark, the other immediate context is that Peter, his nominated leader, had just correctly identified Jesus as the expected Jewish Messiah:

Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, ‘Who do people say I am?’
They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.’
‘But what about you?’ he asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’
Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah.’ (Mark 8:27-29)
[Some English bible versions use the Greek word for Messiah here, Christ]

Peter was spot on; and, as Matthew records (16:17) this was a revelation to his heart from God, the Father. But for Jews, the Messiah carried particular significance. It was taught that the Messiah would come to deliver God’s people from all oppression. So, in that first century context, those who followed Jesus expected him to deliver the Jews from the oppression of the Roman Empire.

We now know that was not the case. However, when Jesus confirmed that Peter was correct in what he said, this expectation that Jesus would somehow miraculously throw off the Roman yoke would have excited their minds. Consequently, Jesus levelled with them explaining that the ‘end game’ was actually rejection by the Jewish people. Most shocking to them was that rather than executing the overthrow of the Romans, he would be executed by them.

protection

In that heady atmosphere where crowds were being reached so successfully, this was too much for Peter. He could not bear such negativity. He felt obliged to snap Jesus out of such a downbeat prediction. Before commenting further, perhaps we should notice that Peter felt comfortable enough with Jesus to be able to take him to one side and rebuke him. Jesus did not create in his followers any coercive fear; nor did he practise controlling behaviours, both of which can be a terrible feature of some Christian leadership.

The fault in Peter was to respond to what Jesus had predicted in a sentimental rather than a spiritual way. However, as Peter was the influential leader of the apostles, Jesus could not simply ignore this or push it to one side. Before making his cutting rebuke, Jesus turned and looked at his disciples. He did not rebuke Peter because he had been upset by his comments: Jesus was not responding emotionally. He responded to protect the apostles from the lying interventions of Satan himself, which were designed to cast doubts on who Jesus was and his divine mission.

It was a withering rebuke indeed:

‘Get behind me, Satan!’ he said. ‘You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.’

Jesus was spiritually aware enough to see that Peter’s natural emotional reaction and concerns were only a cover for an evil intervention by Satan. For modern people, this is a minefield. Not only is there huge scepticism about the devil and his interactions with people, but we have become blinded to spiritual causes because we approach everything intellectually and analytically.

discernment

At this time in the West, I am totally convinced that the Christian church lacks spiritual insight, spiritual discernment and spiritual power. Frankly, we are so spiritually naïve that Satan can land a sucker punch whenever he wishes. We are unable to distinguish what is emotional from what is spiritual. I am the first to acknowledge that getting this wrong could have two risky outcomes: the first is to see Satan in everything, and become like latter-day Salem witch-hunters denouncing others (but not oneself, of course – which shows up the nonsense); or to conclude that Satan does not inspire people to say or do things, and that all behaviour is simply and understandably human.

Let’s seek to get this right. No genuine Christian will admit to perfect spiritual discernment (I did once meet a Christian leader who boasted that he was more mature than the apostle Peter – he went on to make shipwreck of his faith and church ministry). Hopefully, we are seeking wisdom and growing in grace in this area. However, it does not mean that we are without any aids. Our starting point is the teaching of the bible. Holding to its orthodox reading and understanding will help us grow in discernment and be able to make good decisions.

Even at this moment there are fateful church decisions being made, based not on ‘the concerns of God’ but ‘merely human concerns.’ They can be demonstrated to be unbiblical in basis if the scriptures are read clearly, contextually and traditionally. From this incident involving Peter, we can conclude without doubt that Satan is the inspiration behind them. Jesus spoke his rebuke loudly and clearly so that, not only the hearers, but also Satan himself would know that his plot was uncovered. Satan would not be able to obscure the purpose of God with human emotional responses. God’s will must be done.

power

The reason that Jesus had such confidence in recognising Satan at work, was because he had successfully mastered Satan’s previous attacks when tempted in the wilderness. We shall only learn spiritual discernment as we too overcome the temptations that come our way. Excusing failure with sentimental reasons such as “I’m only human!” will never teach us anything. Although Satan is our mortal enemy, God in his wisdom, uses him to sharpen our dull spirits.

Before Jesus was tempted, Luke remarks:

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. (Luke 4:1-4)

The Holy Spirit had descended on Jesus as a dove following his baptism. But it was necessary for the fulness of the Holy Spirit, to be complemented by the purifying process of testing by the devil. Jesus passed the test and was thus prepared for ministry. He had learned through experience to know when Satan was trying to get in his way. This was not a one-off experience; spiritual conflict is training that is lifelong:

When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.
(Luke 4:13)

Luke also records a change in Jesus through this encounter with the evil one:

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit (Luke 4:14)

Jesus had gone from being full of the Spirit to having the power of the Spirit. Combatting Satan creates genuine spiritual power and discernment.

sifting

There is another incident in which the disciples, and Peter in particular, come under direct attack from Satan. At the Last Supper, before Jesus was arrested, Jesus spoke prophetically to his disciples, and specifically to Peter using his other name, Simon:

‘Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.’
But he replied, ‘Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.’
Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, Peter, before the cock crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.’ (Luke 22:31-34)

We know the story well. Peter does indeed deny Jesus. But he repented and was forgiven. It was for Peter a traumatic example of how Satan seeks to undermine our commitment to Jesus. Even though what happened might be judged as a failure on his part, through it, Peter learned the ways in which the devil tries to attack. So, we can grow in both our successes and failures, if we maintain humble repenting hearts, eager to learn so as to serve one another better.

By comparison, one of the disciples did not survive this ‘sifting’ by Satan:

The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.
As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So, Jesus told him, ‘What you are about to do, do quickly.’ (John 13:2 & 37)

Satan’s temptations can make us or break us. They do uncover the true motives of the heart. The tender, humble heart will resist temptation; and even if we do not overcome, where there is genuine repentance, there is forgiveness and the chance to retake the test in the future.

remorse

We do have this promise in the bible, that temptation is only permitted by our heavenly Father according to our maturity:

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:12-13)

Provided we are not arrogant or spiritually proud, this promise will prove true. There is no place for spiritual hubris; humility must be the mark of our hearts.

Unfortunately, this was not the case for Judas. He had sold his integrity for financial reward and maybe other motivations too. In Peter’s case when Jesus rebuked him, he was being ruled by his human concerns, and had not given in to Satan to the extent that he was being controlled. Judas, however, had submitted to control:

Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. (Luke 22:3-4)

The tragedy for Judas was that although he expressed remorse for what he had done, he was unable to find repentance. This difference between remorse and repentance was also highlighted in the bible by the experience of Esau:

that no one is … unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears. (Hebrew 12:16-17 ESV)

It is not possible to play fast and loose with Satan and temptation. We must live close to Jesus in the wisdom of the Spirit and under the guidance of the bible’s teaching.

miracles

In his ministry, Jesus showed numerous other examples of Satan’s work in people. In this example, He shows how the devil uses whatever means he can to take away the impact of God’s word whenever people hear it:

Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. (Mark 4:15)

We assume this means forgetting what they heard. But it could mean so much more: it could be that people get distracted by events which occur immediately; they may get preoccupied with immediate responsibilities; they may have pressing engagements to fulfil. There are numerous ways in which Satan takes away the word. We must become wise to his strategies.

The ministry of Jesus also showed that Satan’s work can have a physical dimension. This does not of course mean that every ailment is directly caused by evil powers. Jesus had a special gift to discern this kind of connection:

there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your disability.” And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God. (Luke 13:11-13)

This miracle was disputed by one of the religious leaders because it was carried out on the Sabbath day. Jesus explained what was happening and why the man, who did not understand spiritual things, was so wrong:

Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?’ (Luke 13:16)

unity

The apostle Paul also understood how Satan attacks. In this case it was a scheme to create division in the church:

Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven – if there was anything to forgive – I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. (2 Corinthians 2:10-11)

Divisive people can be used by Satan to undermine the unity of peace which we should enjoy in relationships. In the case here, forgiveness was needed. The temptation not to forgive was directed towards someone who had done wrong but who had found genuine repentance from their sin. The devil does not show mercy, for he is the Destroyer (Apollyon). We should not be influenced by his destructive temptations, but should show mercy and forgiveness because we also were forgiven for our sins by the mercies of God.

In some cases, there are people, like Judas, who have sold themselves to Satan, and are determined actors on his behalf. Paul recognised them:

For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness.
(2 Corinthians 11:13-15)

This is all-out spiritual warfare and we cannot afford to take it lightly. We must discern truly, wisely and spiritually, taking our lead from the clear teachings of scripture. Jesus was not afraid to confront Peter for the sake of others. Christian leadership has to discover the same courage in guarding the flock from ravenous wolves who give the appearance of ‘harmless sheep’. [Matthew 7:15]

schemes

Satan’s work can also involve the most ordinary situations and people. Here Paul counsels Timothy in the way he should deal with a first-century matter of lifestyle choice:

So, I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander. Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan. (1 Timothy 5:14-15)

We cannot simply transfer this situation to every domestic circumstance we come across, especially in modern society. It is the principles we should learn. Even in everyday matters, Satan looks for the chance to disrupt and destroy.

Christian life is spiritual life. Spiritual life is constant warfare against Satan. Christian wisdom will seek to understand this and learn how to overcome through the provisions God has given us:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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.
(Ephesians 6:10-12)

It would be as foolish to be fixated on the devil’s schemes, as it would be to make out that he is never responsible for anything. Some misguided people see the devil in everything, whilst others hardly believe he exists. We are probably lacking enough mature leaders who really understand these things, and who can pass on their wisdom. Nevertheless, we have to pray earnestly to grow in grace, understanding the armour of God and become trained spiritual warriors:

Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.
(Psalm 144:1)