Who do you worship? Who do you serve? Do you think you serve no one? Do you serve whoever will promise you the biggest reward? Have you spent time thinking about the reward being promised?
We often commit to the person who is promising something we like. We see it in our politics. We see it in our workplaces. We see it in our schools. It comes down to what sounds good for the moment rather than what is best in the long run.
Today’s culture is all about the moment. What can I get today? We want whatever we want, and we want it now. Patience is gone. Due to our impatience, we will succumb to the temptation to get what we want in any way possible, even if it means selling our soul.
In today’s passage, Satan tempts Jesus with all the kingdoms of the world. Jesus rightly declines. Why? He knew He was not only going to inherit them anyway, but He also knew that worshiping Satan was wrong. He knew He was to worship God only. He knew it was only by worshiping God that He would inherit it all.
Notice what happens when Jesus refuses to fall prey to Satan’s scheme. Satan leaves Him. Have you connected the dots? When we refuse Satan’s temptations, he flees from us. He knows he cannot defeat God. He knows that Jesus has already defeated him. When we stand strong in Jesus’ name and are willing to wait for the best reward, we no longer need to fear Satan.
I pray we all decide to stand strong in Jesus’ name. I pray we refuse to fall prey to Satan’s schemes. I pray each one of us will ask God to strengthen us with His Spirit to resist evil. Stand strong. Resist evil. Refuse to fall prey to Satan’s schemes. Watch Satan flee. Be free of fear.
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 splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”
Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Marty Pressey 