Day 285

In today's reading, Jesus shows us how to identify Satan and how to respond.

When Jesus foretells His death and resurrection, Peter takes Him aside and rebukes Him. But Jesus sees the devil working through him and says in Matthew 16 verse 23, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man."

Jesus saw that what He was being told was not of the will of the Lord and it did not fall into the Lord's plan. When He saw this, He rebuked Peter and did not listen.

I need to keep on the lookout for Satan working in my life, and also through others to try and sway me from my purpose and part in the Lord's plan. I need to see that when someone says something, or a thought enters my mind that is not of the Lord, I need to acknowledge that and focus again on the Lord.

I pray that the Lord will help me identify when things are not of Him and give me the strength to overcome them and continue to focus on Him.