UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF SATAN

A right motive can still result in a wrong action.

The sixteenth chapter of Matthew has an amazing dialogue between Jesus, Peter, and Satan:

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do men say that the Son of man is?” 

And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 

Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 

And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. 

From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 

And Peter took him and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” 

But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me; for you are not on the side of God, but of men.” 

Matthew 16:13 through Matthew 16:23 (RSV)

A few interesting thoughts about this section of Scripture:

 In verse 17, Peter had a direct revelation from God.

“For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.”

But look what happens just a short timer later. Jesus addresses Peter as Satan! Why? Had Peter been suddenly possessed by the devil? No. Jesus called Peter Satan because Peter was expressing a sentiment that was against the will of God when he said, “God forbid, Lord! This shall never happen to you.”

Now we understand that Peter’s heart was in the right place. It was Peter’s love for Jesus that motivated him to say what he did. He didn’t want Jesus to be crucified. Even though Jesus had been telling them what was going to happen, they had yet to grasp the reason and the reality of it. So even though Peter’s motive was good, it was not in line with the will of God. Instead, it was in line with Satan’s will. This simply goes to show that you can have the right motive (even love for Jesus) and be completely wrong and under the influence of Satan.

Sincerity and motive are no substitute for the will of God.

God says that is an abomination!

“But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me; for you are not on the side of God, but of men” (v23).

“You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts; for what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God” (Luke 16:15 RSV)

Perhaps a good practice would be to check our motives with that of God's will. Man has committed a number of atrocities in the name of God. Doing things for God, regardless of motive, is wrong. It is only when we are doing things with God that we are in step with his Holy Spirit and Holy will.