"THE THINGS OF GOD!

Matthew 16:21-23                   (ESV)

"21 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.

22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, "Far be it from YOU, LORD! This shall never happen to YOU."

23 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."

Since GOD IS SPIRIT (John 4:24), and we are body, soul and Spirit, one would think that we should be able to have our Spirit better control ourselves and do what is more GOD like?  But GOD isn't the only spirit vying for our allegiance.  "The enemy", as I frequently refer to him (aka as satan), is like a roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8) roaming around seeking someone to devour!  

Many don't even understand that a Spiritual war between GOD and the devil is happening in their midst.  JESUS even told Peter "For you are not setting your mind on "THE THINGS OF GOD", but on the things of man".  Don't you think that JESUS would have instructed HIS disciples in a way that they would be best prepared for the Spiritual warfare they were experiencing?  

Recognizing and identifying "the enemy" is a lifelong strategy that we all need to develop for our own Spiritual livelihood.  Unless we are able to SEE "the enemy" for what he is, we cannot be prepared to "resist" him (James 4:7) and expect him to "flee from you"!  

JESUS was/is able to SEE "the enemy" for who he is and what he is trying to accomplish.  When HE told "the enemy" to "get behind me, Satan", HE wasn't rebuking Peter, rather HE was identifying "the enemy" trying to act through Peter.  Genesis 3:1 says that the devil is more deceiving than any other creature GOD has made.  He will disguise himself as anything to be able to convince us to follow his evil ways.   We MUST remain intimately connected to GOD ALMIGHTY to be able to recognize and identify the enemy much like JESUS did on this occasion.   

There is no substitute for setting your mind on "THE THINGS OF GOD"!  The things of man can be offered as an attractive alternative, but the satisfaction they bring will only last briefly.  "THE THINGS OF GOD" will bring eternal joy and peace.   The choice is yours!!!