[Matthew 16:21-23 KJV] ‘From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.”
“Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.”
Many voices are speaking and vying for your attention in this world; prominent among them is the voice of the devil. He is always seeking an opportunity to speak, deceive, manipulate, distract, or enslave you.
What does it mean to listen to the devil?
You can understand what listening to the devil is when you know how Satan speaks.
- He speaks to appeal to your sense. (See Genesis 3:6)
- Satan speaks to provoke you to prove yourself; he appeals to your propensity of self-aggrandisement.
- He provokes you to prove God and his word.
- He speaks as though it is the voice of a man – your human spirit (See Matthew 16: 22-23)
- Satan speaks to make you anxious about what would happen if you don’t act now.
Why shouldn’t you listen to Satan?
- He is a thief who comes not except to steal, kill, and destroy.
- Satan’s agenda is to draw men after himself, to enslave and control them.
Contrast those who listened to him, ie. Eve, Ananias and Saphira, Judas; and those who didn’t listen to him: how did they end. Eve died, Ananias and Saphira died, and Judas died; but Jesus Christ did not just live but received all power! Glory to God.
How to not listen to Satan?
- Listen by the word, by the word of God (See Romans 10:17)
- Listen by faith (See Galatians 3:5)
- Avoid unlearned questions and silly arguments; rebuke anyone who tries to talk you out of the will of God.
- Be spiritual (set your affection on things above where Christ is seated); then you can receive and discern spiritual things.
- Set not your affections on anything that are earthly
- Allow the Holy Spirit to dwell in you and He will teach you all things
Stay blessed
