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 8:33 NIV
When Jesus realized that He was being encouraged to deviate from the course God had him on, He rebuked Satan immediately. He spoke AT Peter, but He spoke TO Satan. One reason many of our words of rebukes have no weight is because we keep speaking to people, but we fail to speak to the spirit within people. We don’t war against flesh and blood. Jesus addressed the spirit behind Peter’s words. He didn’t attack Peter. He rebuked Satan. Truth be told, many of us aren’t able to fight in the Spirit because we aren’t even walking in the Spirit. We may even be religious. But we’re not spiritual. We’re in our flesh. We’re carnal. The Bible teachers that a spiritual person is able to judge all things. Why? A spiritual person isn’t limited to the vantage point of their flesh or outer experience. They’re not one dimensional. They’re able to see beyond what they see. And because of that, they can judge things from the core or the seed. Which is where a thing begins, thrives and dies.
Another reason our words of rebuke have no weight is because we don’t even “have in mind the concerns of God”. We’re really only concerned about our own human experiences. The Kingdom isn’t a priority. Living holy isn’t a priority. Glorifying God in undesirable circumstances is not a priority. So when we utter the words “Get thee behind me Satan!”, who takes us seriously? God? Satan? Who are we able to rebuke in the spirit when we’re in our flesh?
*Tressa Jo
BeyondSeeLevel 