Post by Oluwatosin Oni (@oloriireoni)

OPEN HEAVEN DEVOTIONAL 11 JUNE 2026 COMMENTARY
MEMORISE: Matthew 16:23
“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.”

This verse records one of the most startling moments in the Gospels. Peter, the same man who had just been called “blessed” and given the keys of the kingdom (Matthew 16:17-19), is now addressed as “Satan.” Daddy Adeboye anchors today’s devotional on this text because it reveals a crucial truth: genuine love, when misguided, can become a tool of the enemy. Peter loved Jesus. Peter did not want his Master to suffer. But that very love, because it was rooted in human reasoning rather than divine purpose, became a stumbling block. Jesus did not politely thank Peter for his concern. He rebuked him sharply because the stakes were eternal.

BIBLE READING: 1 Samuel 17:26-31
This passage describes David’s arrival at the battlefield where Goliath had been defying the armies of Israel. David hears the challenge and asks, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” His older brother Eliab hears this and burns with anger against David, accusing him of pride and wickedness. Eliab’s words were meant to silence David, to send him back to the sheep, to “protect” him from danger. But Daddy Adeboye reveals that Eliab’s protection, however well-intentioned, was actually a hindrance to David’s destiny.

The Danger of Misguided Love: When Help Becomes Harm
1. Daddy Adeboye’s Personal Testimony: The Helicopter Incident
Daddy Adeboye shares a rare and vulnerable personal story to illustrate the subtle danger of well-meaning people:

*”In December 2018, I went for the RCCG’s annual Let’s-Go-A-Fishing evangelism programme… The roads were so bad that year that by the third day of the programme, my body broke down completely, and I had to spend Christmas Day in bed.”*

After becoming too weak to travel by road, a helicopter was arranged. But then:

“When the helicopter arrived, a crowd of people gathered around it, making it difficult for me to get on board. My protocol team managed to get me on board the helicopter; however, the crowd made it impossible for it to take off. They clung to the helicopter, and the situation became so charged that one of its windows broke.”

Who were these people? Enemies? Protesters? Attackers?

“The people who gathered around the helicopter… didn’t do so because they wanted to hurt me. They gathered because they love me…”

Their Intention Their Actual Effect
To show love and affection To physically endanger Daddy Adeboye’s life
To get close to him To prevent the helicopter from taking off
To express honor To break a window and nearly cause a disaster
“Sometimes, people who love you may think that they are acting in your best interests; however, their actions might be causing more harm to you than good.”

This is the central warning of today’s devotional. Love is not enough. Good intentions are not enough. If love is not submitted to God’s timing and God’s purpose, it can become a chain that holds you back from your destiny.

2. Eliab’s “Protection” of David (1 Samuel 17:26-31)
Daddy Adeboye draws a parallel to David and his older brother Eliab:

Eliab’s Perspective The Reality
David is a boy, not a soldier David is an anointed king and a man of faith
David has no combat training David has killed a lion and a bear by God’s power
David is being prideful and irresponsible David is defending the honor of the living God
Eliab is protecting his younger brother Eliab is attempting to block David’s destiny
“If you were in Eliab’s shoes, you would also have done everything possible to prevent David from facing Goliath. However, even though he had good intentions, his actions might have prevented David from fulfilling his destiny.”

This is the tragedy of Eliab. He was not evil. He was not an enemy of God. He was an older brother who loved his younger sibling and did not want to see him killed. But his love, because it operated from human fear rather than divine revelation, was actually aligning him against God’s plan.

The Peter Paradigm: From Revelation to Stumbling Block
1. The Context (Matthew 16:21-23)
Daddy Adeboye highlights the shocking contrast:

Just Before (Matthew 16:16-17) Just After (Matthew 16:22-23)
Peter: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Peter: “Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.”
Jesus: “Blessed art thou… flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee.” Jesus: “Get thee behind me, Satan… thou savourest not the things that be of God.”
The same mouth that spoke divine revelation moments later spoke satanic obstruction. What changed? Peter heard Jesus say He would suffer, die, and rise again. Peter loved Jesus. Peter did not want his Master to die. So Peter rebuked the Son of God.

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https://rccglive.com/open-heaven-11-june/

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