What Do You Have In Mind?

Mark 8:33
But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples he rebuked Peter, “Get behind me, Satan!” he said, “You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

It is important to know the mindset of the people that are in your inner-circle especially as you try to fulfill the will of God in your life. The closer you get to your goal the more important it is to know the mind set of your closest companions because they can either make you or break you.

Even good people can be bad for you if what they have in mind is not matching God’s will for your life. Often times what people have in mind is what is convenient for them but in opposition to what God’s will is for you. You have to take the time to ask them, what do you have in mind?

Jesus just explained to his disciples that he was about to make the ultimate sacrifice by dying for their sins and be raised back to life after three days. This had never been done before. The disciples were enjoying their teacher. He was just 33years old. The movement was at its peak. People were being healed and delivered. It looked like Israel had finally found its “superman” or its anointed one. Then Jesus started talking about being murdered and being raised from the dead! Peter said, “This ain’t going to happen, I’m not going to let this happen!” Jesus rebuked Peter. He criticized him sharply. He strongly disapproved of his friends sentiments by saying, “Get behind me satan!” Peter wasn’t the devil but he had let the devil use him. Anybody who comes between you and the will of God in your life is being used by the devil. It can even be in the name of “love” and still be from the devil. Love however doesn’t seek its own, but it wants the best for the other person but sometimes what’s best for them can appear to be worse for us.

Jesus says, “You do not have in mind the things of God but the things of men.” God’s ways are different from man’s ways. That’s why the scripture says, “lean not to your own understanding but in all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path.” The way of God always leads to sacrifice not self-preservation.

Jesus shows us how to have a mindset of sacrifice:

If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. Verse 34.
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and the gospel will save it. Verse 35
What good is it for a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? Verse 36
What do you have in Mind?

Dear God,

It’s not about me but it’s what you want to accomplish in my life. Search my inner circle. If there is anybody in my inner circle who may block my progress or impede my purpose help me to rebuke them or remove them. I must fulfill my purpose and be about my father’s business. My mind’s made up. No turning back. It’s not my will but your will that I want to be done in my life.

In Jesus Name,
Amen