January 22-24, 2010
Matthew 16
Pastor Farrell Lemings
It is interesting that Peter goes from making the great confession, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” to being rebuked by Jesus for being a tool used by Satan. It all happened in a few minutes of time, involving one of Jesus’ key disciples.
This scripture passage reminds me that we have to be on constant guard against Satan’s deceptions. As Peter wrote later in one of his letters, perhaps thinking back to this interaction, “Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
As Christ-followers, we need to focus upon and seek Jesus consistently, while being alert to Satan’s deception. Otherwise - like Peter - we can be deceived easily, finding ourselves saying and doing the wrong things.
The best ways to avoid Satan’s deception are to be established in God’s Word, active in worship and live out the faith humbly.
Farrell Lemings serves as Lead Pastor.
