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.’ ” — Matthew 4:8-10
In the third of our Lord’s temptations by Satan in the wilderness, the devil took Jesus up on a very high mountain where he was shown all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor with the promise that they would all be his if he would turn against God by worshiping and serving the devil alone. Physically, Jesus was at his weakest, having had no food for 40 days. Spiritually, however, we see that he was at his strongest. Praise God for his example in showing us that spiritual strength is not dependent upon physical strength.
Notice how Jesus handles this temptation because we can learn from it. There are three notable things that he does. He first recognizes and rebukes the source of the temptation by commanding the devil to leave. He then follows with commands to worship the Lord and serve Him only. I believe that when temptation comes our way we can and should respond in the same way that Jesus did.
1. Admonish the enemy. The Scripture clearly teaches that our spiritual battle is not “against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). These all refer to demonic forces in the spiritual realm not earthly foes. How do we do that? Jesus issued a rebuke, “Away from me, Satan!” James tells us to “Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you” (James 4:7-8). Tell the devil to get lost knowing that when you resist, God will fight your battle for you.
2. Worship the Lord. The word “worship” is an interesting word in the original language of the New Testament. It is the verb proskuneo, from pros (to or toward) and kuneo (to kiss, adore). Literally it means, “to kiss toward someone.” It’s like blowing or throwing a kiss. How many times have you ever done that to someone you love? In this context it speaks of paying reverence, homage and affection to God, by honoring and adoring Him. The confused woman at the well in Samaria learned this lesson from Jesus, that “true worshipers will worship the Father . . . in spirit and truth.” Our human spirit saturated with his divine truth (John 4:23-24). That’s the response the Father is seeking. It’s a winning combination!
3. Serve the Lord. The word “serve” can mean to work for a reward, and in a sense that’s true, because believers will receive a reward in heaven for every good work done on the earth. Here, however, it’s emphasis is not service out of compulsion or hire, but it is a work done willfully out of a grateful heart. Temptation presents us with an opportunity to prove ourselves and minister to God or as Mother Teresa wrote in a letter to a friend, “Now let us do something beautiful for God.”
Eugene Peterson in The Message paraphrase, says it this way in his very plain manner, Jesus’ refusal was curt: “Beat it, Satan!” He backed his rebuke with a third quotation from Deuteronomy: “Worship the Lord your God, and only him. Serve him with absolute single heartedness.” The Test was over. The Devil left. And in his place, angels! Angels came and took care of Jesus’ needs” (Matthew 4:10-11).
We can experience the same response dear saints. Let’s you and I resolve this day to recognize and resist the devil’s role in our temptations, then worship and serve our Lord with our total being—with all that we have. I know we all agree that He’s worthy of our adoration. Maranatha!
Pastor Don Kimbro
To help us walk closer with God and to know him better.
