Luke 4:5–8 (NIV84)
5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 So if you worship me, it will all be yours.”
8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”
Think about some of the most prevalent sins in your life. It is likely that the catalyst of these is a lie. “It will make you feel good and happy!” “Nobody can tell you what to do!” “Everybody is doing it!”
The word “devil” means slanderer or liar, which is a perfect description of Satan, the Father of Lies. Once he realized that lying caused Adam and Eve to fall into sin, he has employed the same tactic to this very day.
Satan used this strategy to tempt Jesus a second time. When Satan said that the “kingdoms,” “authority,” and “splendor” had been given to him, he was hoping Jesus would see the allure of earthly fame and power....fame and power that was not real nor was his to give. Did Satan create the heavens and earth, separate the skies and the seas, give life to all plants, animals, and people? Nope! That was our Heavenly Father!
Once again, Jesus uses Scripture to perfectly put Satan in his place. He quotes Deuteronomy 6:13, “Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.” Essentially, Jesus reminds Satan of the First Commandment and the importance of not making a god out of anything earthly.
The temptations of this world are vast and varied. The devil tries to convince us that these allures are the keys to a life of contentment, pleasure, and substance, which is a giant lie. In fact, Satan doesn’t even have the authority to give us these gifts; they come to us through the power of the Holy Spirit (faith).
What are the allures that tempt you to worship and serve something of this world? Whatever your answer, be assured that as true man, Jesus faced that same temptation, so he really does know and understand your struggle. As true God, he sees the weight of guilt you carry in your heart after you realize you have (once again) been duped by one of the devil’s lying schemes. Also, be assured that because Jesus trampled Satan’s temptations and crushed him on Calvary’s cross, he gives you a daily reminder of the most important truth that you can know and trust: Your sins are forgiven!
PRAYER: Dear Jesus, Today I praise you for the assurance of forgiveness that you give me every single day. Forgive me for times when I blatantly disobey you and worship and serve something of this world. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, continue to work in my heart and allow me to see the difference between Satan’s lies and your good, pleasing, perfect will for my life. Amen.