Matthew 16:21-23 (ESV)
^{21 F}rom that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. ²² And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” ²³ But he turned and said to Peter, “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.”

We know how Peter turned out in the end. He was a leader in the Lord’s church and ended up being a force for good for the cause of Christ. He loved the Lord so much that he gave his life for Him at the hands of Rome. In the beginning, though, during the personal ministry of Christ, Peter struggled with some things. He viewed things from an earthly perspective instead of a heavenly one. This led him to allow himself, if only for a moment, to be a spokesperson for Satan.

When Peter told Jesus he would not suffer at the hands of the Jewish leaders, and ultimately be killed, he was denying God’s plan of salvation. Jesus came to this world to taste death for everyone (Hebrews 2:9), and now Peter, setting his mind on the physical instead of the spiritual, is denying that this plan will take place. Jesus said to him, “Get behind me Satan!” Peter was not really Satan, of course, but he was his pawn for a moment.

Have you ever allowed Satan to use you as a pawn? Have you ever been the spokesperson of the devil? Let us all determine not the be the Satan’s pawn, even for a moment.

If we ever gossip, we are allowing ourselves to be used as a pawn by the devil. Gossip can ruin relationships, weaken churches, and lead to the loss of souls. Who do you think wants those things to happen? That is right, the devil! Anytime you or I gossip, we are under the influence of Satan. While we may not be able to tame our tongues (James 3:7-8), we certainly can control them, and God expects us to do so.

Ephesians 4:29 (ESV)
²⁹ Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

If we ever allow ourselves to be consumed with things such as bitterness and jealousy, we are being used by the devil to do his bidding. Listen to what James says about those things.

James 3:14-15 (ESV)
¹⁴ But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

If we ever find ourselves being a hindrance to the church in any way, we have ceased working for God and have joined sides with the devil. Every contentious person, every false teacher, every trouble-maker in the body of Christ, every compromiser of the faith, whether they realize it or not, has become a pawn for Satan. Do not allow that to be you. Make sure that you are a true worker for the Lord. The reward is far better.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.