Jumpstarter 4 of 10

Direct Answer Dean Taylor’s chapter points to “things of men” as self-preservation and avoiding suffering—prioritizing safety, comfort, and earthly outcomes over obedience to the cross. Treating those instincts as spiritually dangerous would mean recognizing they can align with Satan’s agenda and consciously choosing denial of self and “take up [the] cross” decisions instead.

Support from Transcript:

• Peter’s counsel is framed as avoiding likely suffering and death: Peter suggested Jesus “should not go to Jerusalem because he would most likely suffer there and be killed.”
• Jesus’ rebuke identifies the core problem: “you are not mindful of the things of God but the things of men.”
• Jesus immediately defines the “things of God” for disciples: “deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
• Taylor says our efforts often aim at avoiding pain: “So much of our life effort is spent trying to avoid suffering and death.”
• He later critiques endless “what-if” questions as driven by “the preservation of this current life and the attempted safeguard of our happiness.”