Temptation 3...Everything You See!

Matthew 4:8-11 
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.  And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.”  Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,
“‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”
Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.

On Facebook there is this picture of me. 
Now before you get worked up about how overpaid youth pastors are, it really isn't my car.  It belongs to my wife.  I drive a Toyota with a cracked windshield. 
Seriously though, the car is probably pretty expensive.  My understanding is that they are several hundred thousand dollars.  If you are like me you often see things and think, "Now that would be nice to have."
Satan offered Jesus that opportunity.  He showed Jesus everything in the world and said that he would give it to him if he would just quit this God fixation and worship him.  Satan was letting Jesus know that he would "satisfy" the desires of His eyes.  Jesus told Satan to be gone, and let him know that He would only worship God.
Three temptations.  Three ways that we are tempted still today. 
The passage ends with a truly wonderful thing.  Jesus uses the word to stand up to the temptations of Satan.  After the temptation is done the angels come and minister to him.  What a wonderful picture of the aftermath of a spiritual battle!
If you are struggling with temptation I would encourage you to get into the Word of God.  Dive in and read and memorize and when Satan comes to offer you things let him know what God says.  God won't abandon you before, during, or after temptation. 
Heavenly Father, thank you so much for your word.  May it be like food to us.  May it guide us as we live our lives.  May it give us a desire for You and You alone.  In Jesus name, amen.

Comments

  1. Haha!! Toyota Camry with cracked windshield!!! Good word; brother!

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