Self-Denial and The Influence of Satan

Recognizing Hindrances

Matthew 16:21–23 “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 aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, 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 setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.””

Why Jesus told them not to tell anyone that He was the Messiah in Matt 16:20

Expectation for the Messiah Crushed

Passages about the conquering King

Peter responds to his first instinct.

He Also chopped the ear off of a roman soldier when they came to arrest Jesus

People Get impulsively convinced through manipulation.

MSG

All Sorts of Political Issues. Racism, Pro Choice Philosophy, Gender dysphoria, are almost always taught through manipulation.

if this is true then this is true

if there skin is different their value is different

if they are young enough or not self sustaining enough their life is not as valuable

if they think and feel like they’re biological sex is wrong then it must be

it may feel like this is truth but it’s like high msg food. Ultimately lacking in substance

Often the intention behind an evil deed is good.

Peters Intentions Here seem to be honorable but they originate from the Father of Lies.

Jesus calls Peter Satan

Application

THIS CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE

It Happened To Peter it can certainly happen to us.

How can we avoid being used by the Devil?

First Resort is Prayer

Second Resort is to Trust in the Word of God.

Third Resort is Keep Your Mouth Shut

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 17

28 Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent—

discerning, when he seals his lips.

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 21

23 The one who guards his mouth and tongue

keeps himself out of trouble.

This does not mean that you should never speak out. What it does mean is that when you speak it should be out of An honest Biblical perspective. (Not manipulating it either).

We all have so much room to grow and I am not calling us to be mute

Take Up Your Cross

Matthew 16:24–28 “Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.””

Self-denial is a summons to submit to the authority of God as Father and of Jesus as Lord and to declare lifelong war on one’s instinctive egoism.

J. I. Packer