Get behind me

SERMON TITLE: Get Behind Me

By: Jayden Hartley Key Verse: “But He turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.’” — Matthew 16:23 (NKJV)

INTRODUCTION: A BATTLE CRY FOR BELIEVERS

When Emerson Day released Get Behind Me, she wasn’t just giving us a catchy Southern rock anthem — she gave the Church a battle cry.

Her grandmother taught her something powerful: when fear, anxiety, or confusion comes, it’s not from God — it’s the enemy. And you don’t debate with the enemy; you don’t give him a seat at the table. You tell him, with the authority of Jesus: “Get behind me!”

This isn’t just a song lyric — it’s a direct quote from Jesus Himself. He said it to Satan in the wilderness (Matthew 4:10) and to Peter in Matthew 16:23.

We live in a time when fear, confusion, and compromise are being normalized — even in the church. But Jesus shows us that sometimes the most loving, faithful thing we can do is to confront the enemy directly and refuse to give him any ground.

BIG IDEA:

You have the authority in Christ to recognize, resist, and replace the enemy’s lies with God’s truth — but you must stand your ground and command him to get behind you.

🕊️ 1. 🔎 What "Get behind me, Satan" Means

When Jesus told Peter, “Get behind me, Satan”, He wasn't inviting Satan to follow. He was directly dismissing anything—even well-meaning counsel—that opposed God's will for the cross. He was saying: Don’t stand in My way. Christ Life Ministries+5Christianity Stack Exchange+5WatermarkWaves+5Reddit

On Reddit, users explained that while “get behind me” can historically mean “follow me,” in the scriptural context it clearly means “remain behind — don’t influence me or lead me away.” Reddit

2. 🏠 Breaking Down the Phrase: "Devil, get behind me — run on home"

"Devil, get behind me" echoes Jesus’s bold command to dismiss spiritual opposition.

"Run on home" adds a friendly but firm extension: Don't return. Go back to your place — you're not invited in. It also invites the believer into confidence, peace, and spiritual rest beyond confrontation.

3. ⚔️ Biblical Balance & Spiritual Warfare

Be alert, not paranoid: Don’t see Satan behind every shadow — but don’t dismiss his influence, either. Both extremes (denial or obsession) mislead believers. gospellight.sg+8sermons.rvbc.cc+8tozertalks.com+8

Live from victory, not for victory: Jesus crushed Satan on the cross. You resist not to win — but because you're already victorious in Christ. gospellight.sg

4. 🧱 Practical Applications

A. Recognize when the devil is influencing a thought or action:

Fear, doubt, temptation, or persuasive counsel that distracts from God’s leading.

B. Resist with bold words:

E.g., “Devil, get behind me in Jesus’ name — run on home and take your lies with you.”

C. Replace darkness with truth:

Fill with Scripture, worship, prayer, and godly community. Darkness has nowhere to dwell once God's light fills the space.

5. 🙌 Reflection & Action

In what area of your life do you most need to say, “Devil, get behind me — run on home”?

What lie or fear is the devil trying to bring?

What specific Bible truth or worship posture can replace that lie today?

6. 📖 Related Verses to Anchor On:

James 4:7 — “Submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Ephesians 6:11-17 — Spiritual armor and the sword of the Spirit (God’s Word)

1 Peter 5:8-9 — “Your adversary... prowls like a roaring lion... resist him, standing firm in the faith.”

✨ Final Thought

The phrase “Devil, get behind me — run on home” is a vivid, Scripture-rooted declaration of spiritual authority and personal peace. It says: “You have no place here; go back to where you belong.” At the same time, it leaves space for calm, rest, and spiritual clarity—knowing that your identity is in Christ, not the battlefield.

POINT 1 — RECOGNIZING THE ENEMY’S VOICE

📖 John 10:10 — “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

A. The Enemy’s Voice Is Subtle

In Matthew 16:21–23, Jesus told the disciples He would suffer and be killed. Peter rebuked Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord! This shall not happen to You.”

On the surface, Peter’s words sounded caring. But Jesus recognized they were rooted in human reasoning and fear — not in God’s will.

Truth: The enemy doesn’t always come with obvious evil. Sometimes he comes disguised as what feels reasonable, compassionate, or logical — but it contradicts God’s plan.

B. How to Recognize It

It contradicts God’s Word — If a thought or suggestion leads you away from obedience to Scripture, it’s not from God. (2 Corinthians 10:5)

It feeds fear instead of faith — The Holy Spirit convicts, but Satan condemns. The Spirit builds faith, but the enemy plants doubt. (2 Timothy 1:7)

It pushes you toward self over God — The enemy’s voice always prioritizes “me first,” while God calls us to “seek first the Kingdom” (Matthew 6:33).

💡 Application: Ask daily: Does this align with God’s Word? Does it build my faith or feed my fear? Does it glorify God or me?

POINT 2 — RESISTING THE ENEMY WITH AUTHORITY

📖 James 4:7 — “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

A. The Order Matters

Submit to God comes before resist the devil.

Authority without submission is arrogance; submission without authority is passivity.

Jesus resisted temptation in the wilderness because He was fully submitted to His Father.

B. Our Authority Comes From Christ

In Luke 10:19, Jesus says: “I have given you authority… to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.”

This isn’t arrogance — it’s confidence in what Jesus accomplished on the cross.

C. The Language of Resistance

When Jesus said “Get behind me!”, it was a military term — to command someone to fall back, to retreat from a position of attack.

You are not asking Satan to leave — you are commanding him to take his place under your feet (Romans 16:20).

You speak directly to the spirit behind the attack — fear, anxiety, temptation — and declare it has no authority over you in Jesus’ name.

💡 Application: When anxiety hits — “Get behind me, in Jesus’ name.” When temptation comes — “Get behind me, in Jesus’ name.” When doubt whispers — “Get behind me, in Jesus’ name.”

POINT 3 — REPLACING LIES WITH TRUTH

📖 Philippians 4:8 — “…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right… think about such things.”

A. You Can’t Just Push Out Darkness — You Must Fill the Space with Light

Matthew 12:43–45 warns that if you drive out an unclean spirit but don’t fill your life with God’s presence, the enemy can return even stronger.

Resistance must be followed by replacement.

B. How Jesus Modeled This

In Matthew 4, Jesus resisted the devil by quoting Scripture. Every lie was met with truth.

He didn’t just reject the enemy — He declared God’s Word over the situation.

C. Worship Is Warfare

Worship reminds you of who God is and who you are in Him.

Songs like Get Behind Me become declarations of faith that push back spiritual darkness.

💡 Application: Write down the lies you’ve believed. Next to each one, write a Bible verse that speaks the truth. Then speak it out loud daily.

ILLUSTRATION: THE QUARTERBACK PROTECTION

A quarterback can’t advance the ball if the defensive line doesn’t protect him. The linemen’s job is to push the defenders behind the quarterback — out of the play.

Spiritually, the Word of God, prayer, and worship are your offensive line. When the enemy rushes in, your job isn’t to negotiate — it’s to push him behind you so you can advance the Kingdom of God.

CONCLUSION: TAKE YOUR STAND

📖 Romans 8:37 — “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”

Today, the same Jesus who spoke to Peter and said, “Get behind me”, gives you the same authority. You don’t have to tolerate fear. You don’t have to live under anxiety. You don’t have to bow to temptation.

You can stand in the authority of Christ and declare: “Get behind me, Satan. You have no place here.”

ALTAR CALL / RESPONSE

For the weary: You’ve been listening to voices that are not from God — come forward for discernment and clarity.

For the anxious: Declare freedom and peace in Jesus’ name.

For the tempted: Lay it at the altar and replace the lie with truth.

🎵 Play “Get Behind Me” softly during prayer time.