But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” Mark 8:33 ESV

Victory is Mine

We recently attended a Jubilee celebration at FBC Tuscaloosa. The choir and the congregation sang a wide variety of songs and hymns from the decades. One lyric of a song has remained in my mind and on my lips. “Victory is mine, Victory is mine,Victory today is mine.  … I told Satan to get thee behind, Victory today is mine.” Youtube by Dorothy Norwood

 Maybe today, yes today! You need to grasp what a wonderful victory that we have in Jesus. There is so much in this passage that will help you position your heart and mind to walk in the path of victory. Let’s look quickly at the whole passage

29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” 30 And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him. 31 And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” Mark 8:29-33

5 things of Note (although there are so many more) in this passage

  • God has a plan –
    • Jesus the Messiah (Christ) would suffer, die and be raised again. This was God’s way for Jesus which included suffering and pain.
    • Your present situation of pain and suffering may look hopeless, but God works His purposes in all situations, even yours
  • Peter rebuked Jesus. 
    • How many times are we trying to remind God that the struggles that we are presently facing are all wrong? 
    • Can you find God in your pain? I am not saying that God wants to hurt you or punish you, although He does discipline His children. 
    • Stop blaming yourself, others or God. Look up at the hand He is extending and the peace that He is offering.
  • Jesus rebuked Peter
    • He rebuked him for the thoughts that he was having and sharing that were not God’s thoughts.  Let that sink in. We are not to continue to entertain or speak words that are not what God is saying.
    • Just because we are in pain does not mean we get to remain on our pity seat. 
    • Side note, an important one.- God loves honest dialogue with Him about your struggles. He can handle whatever you have to say TO Him. It’s part of your healing and restoration – because you are engaging Him in your pain. Whining and complaining are not dialoguing with God.
  • Satan influences our thoughts
    • Some thoughts come from your own wicked desires, but some thoughts which are against God’s ways and plan are from Satan. 
    • Take ownership for your selfish thoughts that protect your flesh, but reject thoughts from Satan.
    • Follow the thoughts for a moment to see the impact to determine their origin. Harming yourself, wanting to hurt others, criticizing or judging others, or actions that will end up deceiving others are clearly not from God.
    • God’s thoughts lead to love, light and liberty
    • Don’t just take these thoughts captive, destroy them according to the promises and blessings of God
  • Seek to keep your mind on the things of God as the priority for your thought life
    • Jesus came to seek and save the lost – mission number one. He included this vision in the Great Commission. We need to be about our Father’s business.
    • Maintain the abiding presence of Jesus through intimacy with the Holy Spirit. After Jesus was gone, this was the number one priority for His followers. He told them to stay and wait for the coming of the Spirit.
    • Become very familiar with asking forgiveness and repenting. Repentance is primarily a changing of the thoughts that are reflected in the changing of our actions. You will never mature beyond humility and the need for forgiveness this side of heaven.

May you experience the victory that is in Jesus today. Tell Satan and his debilitating thoughts to leave. Look to Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith. Declare aloud that Jesus has already done everything for you to live in His power, peace and presence.  Joy is yours, forgiveness is yours, acceptance is yours, peace is yours and victory is yours. May God’s thoughts flood yours to overflowing. Sing again, Victory is Mine…

Blessings  Love y’all