Rhapsody of Realities for 12 June 2026

TODAY'S RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DEVOTIONAL BY PASTOR CHRIS OYAKHILOME.

TOPIC: 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).

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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.

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.”

PRAISEJAMZBLOG INSIGHT

Today's devotional teaches the importance of spiritual discernment. Not every thought, opinion, or suggestion that sounds good originates from God. Just as Jesus recognized when Peter spoke by divine revelation and when he spoke under satanic influence, believers must learn to discern the source behind words, ideas, and actions. Through a consistent relationship with God's Word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can accurately distinguish between God's direction, human reasoning, and the enemy's deception. Spiritual maturity is developed when we judge matters by the Spirit rather than by emotions, appearances, or personal desires.

PRAYER/CONFESSION

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.

FURTHER STUDY

Matthew 16:16–23: And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ. From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he 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.

1 Corinthians 2:14–15: But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

1 Thessalonians 5:20–21: Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

Rhapsody of Realities devotional is written by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, President of LoveWorld Inc. (Christ Embassy).