Rhapsody of Realities 12 June 2026: Discern the Source
SCRIPTURE: But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan… (Matthew 16:23).
Not everything that sounds right is from God. Not every thought, idea, or opinion that comes nicely is inspired by the Spirit. You must learn to discern. In Matthew 16, for example, the Lord Jesus asked His disciples, “… whom say ye that I am?” (Matthew 16:15).
Peter answered, “…Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Then the Lord said to Peter, “…Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 16:17).
But shortly afterwards, when the Lord Jesus began to speak about His death, Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “…Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee” (Matthew 16:22). Notice what happens next: immediately, the Lord “…turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men” (Matthew 16:23).
This was the same Peter: one moment, he was speaking by revelation from God, the next moment, Satan is speaking through him. But the Lord Jesus discerned the source of the words Peter spoke. He didn’t address Peter as a person; He addressed the source and said, “Get thee behind me, Satan.”
That means you must discern the source of every word, inspiration and action. When you speak, it should always be from God. Your thoughts should always be inspired by the Holy Spirit so that your words will synchronize with God’s perfect will.
Peter spoke from personal desire. He wanted an earthly kingdom. He wanted a position. He wanted a system that favoured him. What sounded like concern was actually self-interest. So, don’t judge things by how they sound; you’re to discern them by the Spirit.
Not every good-sounding word or emotional reaction is spiritual. That’s why you must stay filled with the Spirit and let the Word of God dwell in you richly. 1 John 4:1 declares, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God….” 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 tells us not to despise the Word (prophecies) but to test everything and hold fast to that which is good and edifies. In other words, discern the source.
PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for granting me spiritual discernment. I’m not led by appearances or emotions; I’m led by your Spirit. I recognize the source of thoughts and words, and I walk in alignment with your perfect will, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
READ OTHER RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DEVOTIONAL HERE
FURTHER STUDY:
Matthew 16:16-23
16 Simon Peter replied, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 Then Jesus answered him, Blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) are you, Simon Bar-Jonah. For flesh and blood [men] have not revealed this to you, but My Father Who is in heaven.
18 And I tell you, you are Peter [Greek, Petros—a large piece of rock], and on this rock [Greek, petra—a huge rock like Gibraltar] I will build My church, and the gates of Hades (the powers of the infernal region) shall not overpower it [or be strong to its detriment or hold out against it].
19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind (declare to be improper and unlawful) on earth must be what is already bound in heaven; and whatever you loose (declare lawful) on earth must be what is already loosed in heaven.
20 Then He sternly and strictly charged and warned the disciples to tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.
21 From that time forth Jesus began [clearly] to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders and the high priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised from death.
22 Then Peter took Him aside to speak to Him privately and began to reprove and charge Him sharply, saying, God forbid, Lord! This must never happen to You!
23 But Jesus turned away from Peter and said to him, Get behind Me, Satan! You are in My way [an offense and a hindrance and a snare to Me]; for you are minding what partakes not of the nature and quality of God, but of men.
1 Corinthians 2:14-15
14 But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated.
15 But the spiritual man tries all things [he examines, investigates, inquires into, questions, and discerns all things], yet is himself to be put on trial and judged by no one [he can read the meaning of everything, but no one can properly discern or appraise or get an insight into him].
1 Thessalonians 5:20-21
20 Do not spurn the gifts and utterances of the prophets [do not depreciate prophetic revelations nor despise inspired instruction or exhortation or warning].
21 But test and prove all things [until you can recognize] what is good; [to that] hold fast.
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Acts 3:1-26 & 2 Chronicles 12-15
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
2 Corinthians 2:8-17 & Songs Of Solomon 3-4
Rhapsody of Realities 12 June 2026
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