Savouring the Things of God

Mar 8:31 And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
Mar 8:32 And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.
Mar 8:33 But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.

What happened? Peter was only moments before being praised and commended for his profession of faith in Jesus as the Messiah.

Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Mat 16:17 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.

As Peter attempts to protect Jesus from the cross, he steps out of the will of God.

... Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.

Let's look at the word "savourest"; the Greek word proneo, from Strong's concordance.

1) to have understanding, be wise

2) to feel, to think

a) to have an opinion of one's self, think of one's self, to be modest, not let one's opinion (though just) of himself exceed the bounds of modesty

b) to think or judge what one's opinion is

c) to be of the same mind i.e. agreed together, cherish the same views, be harmonious

3) to direct one's mind to a thing, to seek, to strive for

a) to seek one's interest or advantage

b) to be of one's party, side with him (in public affairs)

Your understanding or mind is not on the things of God, but on the things of the world.

The amplified Bible says it this way:

³³But turning around [His back to Peter] and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, Get behind Me, Satan! For you do not have a mind ^[n]intent on promoting what God wills, but what pleases men [you are not on God's side, but that of men].

What are these worldly things that cause us to fall?

1Jn 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1Jn 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

For the things of God we can look at the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

We often overlook verse 24, but we must die daily to the mind of the flesh and walk in the Spirit of God. This way we will be a sweet savour of Christ.

Savour has to do with a smell, like incense or the smell of good food. We are to speak the truth of God in the Spirit of God, so that we bring the savour of Christ with us.

2Co 2:15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
2Co 2:16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
2Co 2:17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

The Holy Spirit knows when corruption of God's word comes. He will warn us of a foul smelling spirit or something not right. We are to desire the word of God and his will above the sweet smell of food or perfume or anything this world has to offer.

Lord help us to desire your will and your word above all else.