Peter was a leader in the Lord’s church and ended up being a powerful force 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, however, during the personal ministry of Christ, he struggled with some things.  He viewed things from an earthly perspective instead of a heavenly one.  Because of this, he allowed the devil to use him on one occasion.

Matthew 16:21-23 (ESV)
²¹ From 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.”

When Peter told Jesus that he would not suffer at the hands of the Jewish leaders and be put to death, 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 allowing himself to be used by him at that moment.

Have you ever allowed Satan to use you?  Have you ever served as a pawn in his hands?  We should all determine that we will not allow ourselves to be tools for the devil.  How can we allow ourselves to be used by the devil?  Let me give you a few examples.

If we ever gossip, we are allowing ourselves to be used 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’s 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.    

Let me give you another example.  If we ever allow ourselves to be consumed with things such as bitterness and jealousy, he will use us to do his bidding.  Listen to James:

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 troublemaker in the body of Christ, and every compromiser of the faith, whether they realize it or not, are being used by the devil to accomplish his will.  Do not allow this to be you.

If someone like Peter could let his guard down and allow himself to be used as an instrument for the devil, it could certainly happen to any of us.  Let’s not let our guard down.

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