Matthew 4:8-11 (NIV):
8 Again, the devil took
him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and
their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will
bow down and worship me.”
10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written:
‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[a]”
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Today we continue from last week's discussion of the serpent's use of scripture found by clicking this link.
For the
final temptation the devil used against the LORD in the wilderness was to take
him to a very high mountain-once more the devil took Him-so ask yourself-how did you get into that situation of
temptation? Do you feel like you were taken to that position in a manner that
is not of God? The devil has a particular personality-he takes and then he offers to gives. Hence if
the devil is present in a situation it is clear from the manner in which you
got there. He took the LORD and then He showed him all the kingdoms of the
world. The devil places the vision the LORD has given you in a different
order-Jesus is the LORD but here the devil is showing him the world and his
splendor. He is offering the LORD a different display of splendor that is not
of God. And to take it, He was told to worship the devil.
This
is what happens when you accept the vision the devil has given you-you are no
longer worshipping God:
Matthew 6:24 (NIV):
24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one
and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.
You cannot serve both God and money.
The
devil will always present the vision God has given you in an unholy order-stick
to the LORD’s timing. Don’t disrupt or rush the process-don’t accept any
shortcuts-it is not of God.
And
Jesus rebuked the devil and once more quoted the appropriate Scripture-to
worship God alone.
And
since He rebuked the devil-and refused to worship him, he had to leave-and the
angels of God came and attended him. This is because darkness cannot stay where
light is-this is why the angels came after the devil left. Furthermore, it is
important to realize when we do not listen to God, we are listening to the
devil.
The
world worships Satan-which is why the devil had the authority to offer the
world to Jesus. But we worship God-which is why Jesus responded in His service
to God. Hence we are not of the world and
the manner in which we proceed is not of the world but dependent and determined
by God. (John 17:16). Therefore the
devil cannot offer you what God has shown you. He can only tempt you.
So
whenever the devil tries to twist the vision the LORD has placed in your heart
in the wilderness, whenever he comes with his words of lies, saying that it
will never happen except you steal that money, cheat, lie-he is essentially
asking you to worship him.
Jesus
also identified the devil by name-Satan. Can you identify when Satan is
speaking?
Notice
the devil took Jesus to a very high mountain before he showed him the world and
its splendor. This shows that the devil will always offer to elevate you into a
position and place that God has not called you to.
Also
the devil will always offer you money, but is it of God? This is why Matt 6:24
says you cannot serve both God and money-do you serve God? Are you devoted to
Him? Do you love Him? These are questions that are answered in the place of temptation-when
as the LORD did you turn down the fast track to success, when you choose the
path of righteousness-the path of Christ-there is reward.
This is why angels of
God came to attend the LORD.
This was the final temptation for a reason-Jesus had rejected the world and its splendor-the same way we are meant to reject the world and embrace the LORD.
The significance of His decision is further marked by angel's attending Him because angel's only attend to the servants of God (Hebrews 1:14).
Q: What
vision has the LORD placed in your heart? How has the devil sought to
manipulate the process?
Tip:
Find opportunities to worship God ie through songs of praise, prayer,
volunteering, acts of service-these will enable you to rebuke the devil.
I will be sharing
exclusive content with those that subscribe to my e-mail list on material
concerning relationships, faith and destiny!
What will it entail?
Those on my subscription list gain access to tailored information
with interactive steps to improve your emotional, physical and spiritual
life!
There will be more
studies catered to suit your needs on this new and detailed adventure and I'm
excited to begin with you guys!
If you will like
to partake of this-Then subscribe by providing your e-mail
address under the link on the right or below!
Follow me on Youtube for
more discussions by clicking this link!
Have a lovely day!
God Bless,
Tolu.