There is a clear warning between Matthew 16:17 and Matthew 16:23 and in regard to the about face Christ had from praise of revelation from God in regard to Peter and then suddenly telling Satan to get behind Him after he had gained a foothold over Peter so quickly afterwards. This is quite shocking and should serve us as with all scriptures with an example of just how quickly we could all be overtaken by evil when we think we stand (see 1 Cor. 10:12).
In both cases Peter was being used as a vessel for spiritual possession; as it were. It could be argued that the Spirit wasn't residing with him permanently; nonetheless Jesus' comment that only the Father could have revealed to Peter who He was clearly showed him as a saved individual. Also Satan may not have directly possessed him as it stated it was later on for Judas Iscariot; but nonetheless his mind was being controlled by the "thoughts of men" which Satan placed in his mind. That would probably imply that his natural inclination and desire to protect Christ and not see harm come to him was taking precedent over God's plan and purpose for Christ to die for atonement of the sins of all He has chosen (including on Peter's behalf as well).
Clearly Christ wasn't surprised by these things; and later on as I explained in a recent discussion Christ predicted his martyrdom and his restoration after the denial was prophesied as well to Peter. Lest we upbraid Peter we should remember that he was the only one with the "audacity" to walk on the water as well as to ask questions others no doubt pondered but were too afraid to mention out loud.
When we recognize our own weaknesses and frailty it certainly can't be that we will be carried away by such things if we stand on guard against the wiles of the devil (see James 4:7). We can't take our eyes off of Him though for Satan can and will use any opportunity given to him to blindside us; harass, torment, distract and mess us up.
There is a clear warning between Matthew 16:17 and Matthew 16:23 and in regard to the about face Christ had from praise of revelation from God in regard to Peter and then suddenly telling Satan to get behind Him after he had gained a foothold over Peter so quickly afterwards. This is quite shocking and should serve us as with all scriptures with an example of just how quickly we could all be overtaken by evil when we think we stand (see 1 Cor. 10:12).
In both cases Peter was being used as a vessel for spiritual possession; as it were. It could be argued that the Spirit wasn't residing with him permanently; nonetheless Jesus' comment that only the Father could have revealed to Peter who He was clearly showed him as a saved individual. Also Satan may not have directly possessed him as it stated it was later on for Judas Iscariot; but nonetheless his mind was being controlled by the "thoughts of men" which Satan placed in his mind. That would probably imply that his natural inclination and desire to protect Christ and not see harm come to him was taking precedent over God's plan and purpose for Christ to die for atonement of the sins of all He has chosen (including on Peter's behalf as well).
Clearly Christ wasn't surprised by these things; and later on as I explained in a recent discussion Christ predicted his martyrdom and his restoration after the denial was prophesied as well to Peter. Lest we upbraid Peter we should remember that he was the only one with the "audacity" to walk on the water as well as to ask questions others no doubt pondered but were too afraid to mention out loud.
When we recognize our own weaknesses and frailty it certainly can't be that we will be carried away by such things if we stand on guard against the wiles of the devil (see James 4:7). We can't take our eyes off of Him though for Satan can and will use any opportunity given to him to blindside us; harass, torment, distract and mess us up.
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