Dear Church,

What an amazing time of being in God’s presence we had yesterday!  In His word we stood in Mark’s Gospel and felt the weight of Jesus words: “Get behind me, Satan!”  These words were sharp, exposing, and necessary. What makes this moment so striking is this:  Just a few verses earlier, Peter spoke truth revealed by God.  Now, a few minutes later, he speaks words aligned with Satan’s agenda. Same person. Same mouth.  But a different source.

Now, this reality should get our attention.  We have these two natures living in us.  Every one of us has two competing capacities within us – the old capacity to sin and the new capacity to resist sinning and following the will of God. But this reality also brings something important for us.  It is far easier than we think to be used by God… or by the enemy.

Not because we suddenly become evil… but because we become misaligned.  Peter’s issue was not his heart for Jesus… it was his resistance to the will of God (cross).  His flesh wanted a Christ without suffering.  A kingdom without sacrifice.  This is the temptation Satan placed before Jesus in the wilderness, and this is the one he places before us every single day of our lives in this world.  We may never say, “I oppose God.”  But how often do we: Resist what God is doing because it’s uncomfortable. Push back when obedience costs us something. Choose what feels right… over what God has revealed.

We are either aligning with the purposes of God… or unintentionally resisting them. That’s why we must guard not just our actions, but our thoughts… our assumptions… our instincts.  Because what “feels right” is not always what is from God.

So, this morning, take time to ask ourselves.  Where am I resisting the cross?  Where is my thinking being shaped by comfort rather than by truth?  Let’s be the people who love Jesus who are intentionally aligned by his truth, every day.  Not just in confession, but in surrender.

Be Encouraged,

Mathews