'Get Behind Me Satan'

Most times, in life, we encounter people who try to, intentionally but usually unintentionally, discredit us through their comments. In fact, in an earlier post (Refuse To Be Dragged Back) on my blog, ‘zionmukisa.blogspot.com’, I talked about not letting people drag you back to where you came from.

“When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time” (Luke 4:13).

When the devil tempted JESUS in the wilderness but failed to win him over, he left but planned to return at an opportune time! Similarly, when Satan makes a failed attempt at tempting us, he goes away planning to return at an opportune time.

Well, at the time I published that post, that I mentioned earlier, I did not realize that the devil was still at it. Therefore, I was rather shocked when he made another attempt a few days back. He tried to drag me back once more but I clearly spoke back and told him what I know about myself. I told him that I am aware of my strengths and that I will not believe what his deception.

“Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan” (Matthew 16:23)!

It is no secret that Satan often uses those closest to us to distract us from GOD’S chosen path. In the same way, he tried to use Peter to dissuade JESUS from facing the death that would free us all. Nonetheless, quickly discerning that it was the devil speaking through Peter JESUS quickly spoke to him and told him to ‘get behind me Satan’! You must realize that JESUS did not speak to Peter but to the devil because He looked behind the source of Peter’s words. He did not even hold it against Peter but moved on from that situation.

“Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him” (Luke 4:14-15).

You will also notice that Satan usually does this on the eve of a major breakthrough in someone’s life. The first time he tried to dissuade JESUS was just before He started His ministry. In fact, we are told that after He returned from the wilderness, JESUS preached with so much power and people praised Him – that was the milestone in JESUS’ life that Satan had been intent on making Him miss.

“for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose” (Philippians 2:13).

In the same breath, recently just before a major milestone in my ministry, the devil tried to use a child to do the same to me. Through this child, he took the promises and the gifts that GOD gave me and tried to convince me that I was not good enough. He tried to convince me that I did not ‘measure up’ to stand in and operate in my calling. Nevertheless, it was to my advantage that I now know who I am in Christ and that it is not I who does what I do but He who is in me...Consequently, I spoke back and told her what I know about my strengths. I was secure in the fact that He who called me is faithful and that He has graced me with the great potential that I need to do what He called me to do. Even as I spoke back to her, but in essence to the devil, I spoke to myself and reaffirmed myself that I ‘am good at this and GOD has said that I shall do it’.

In the same way, JESUS knew what He had been called to do even as He knew the word of GOD. Subsequently, with everything that the devil 'threw at Him', JESUS responded with the word of GOD. Now, the word of GOD may be the written word in the Bible but also the word He has told us individually or even that that has been given to us as a prophecy.

We must remember what GOD has said to us concerning that matter and be secure in the fact that ‘we can do this’. We must also know that if GOD has said it, He will do it. In other words, we must be aware of what GOD has told us about ourselves and the fact that He has equipped us to accomplish His purposes for our lives.

Keeping the above in mind enables us to be ready to talk back to the devil when he rears his head. We must also be aware that when we reject him he will go away but will also return at an opportune moment! Therefore, we must not listen to him or agree with him. We must talk back to him and tell him what we know about ourselves and that we CAN DO IT believing that we can. In other words, we must be consistent in believing what we believe.

Consequently, I urge you to be secure in your strengths, consistent about them but also alert to speak back and tell the devil to ‘get behind me Satan’.

Prayer

Dear GOD, I know that I have sometimes felt so insecure about my ability to do what you have called me to do. Please forgive. However, I agree that it is you who works in me to accomplish all that you desire to.

LORD, I repent that I sometimes lose sight of your word concerning your gifts and promises to me that I am led astray by the devil’s deceptions. Holy Spirit, please remind me about the promises of GOD spoken to me directly, the word through the Bible but also the word in form of the prophetic word. I ask you to give me the grace to remember my strengths and not succumb to the demeaning remarks of the devil. May I always know when I am about to reach a milestone in my life so that I am alert and secure. In JESUS’ name, I have prayed, amen.