Consider the third temptation of Jesus. (Concerning the first two temptations, I refer you to a couple of my previous posts.) “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 things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me’” (Matthew 4:8-9).
Understand that Jesus had come to earth to establish a kingdom! John the Baptist had already begun the work; his message was clear, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). So, it appears that the devil was offering Jesus an easy way to accomplish the mission! Jesus simply had to submit to him, to accept the ways of the world, to follow the plan of Satan, the “god of this world” (2 Cor. 4:4). The Kingdom would quickly become a world wide kingdom! Mission accomplished!
Hmmm. Aren’t many churches today giving in to this same temptation? Trying to build God’s church by using the proven and effective methods of the world?!! This “worship” that Satan was asking Jesus to give him was not to sing songs of praise to Satan or to honor him as “god” – NO! All Jesus would have to do was simply “bow the knee” to Satan, to use the methods of the world system! Listen carefully, the temptation was to use the world’s methods to accomplish God’s goals.
Let’s make this personal for a moment. Do you primarily use the world’s system to reach your own goals – personal, financial, business, educational, family? Or do you search the Word of God for His plan, His way, His priorities, His methods for all the areas in your life? Just asking.
Jesus quickly saw through the lie, the deception, and commanded, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY’” (Mt. 4:10). The Kingdom that Jesus came to establish was not an earthly kingdom but a heavenly kingdom! It could never be gained by using the world system, not by a compromise with the devil! Notice the command that Jesus quoted; the words “worship” and “serve” are both included! You will serve that which you worship and worship that which you serve. Perhaps, again, a little personal inventory is appropriate here.
The foundations of the ministry of Jesus were tested and established in those days of fasting, prayer, and temptation. Would His focus be on His personal needs? Would He expect God to protect Him even if He were not obedient to all the ways of God? Would He rely on the spectacular to draw the crowds and the methods of the world system to establish His kingdom? Or would He focus on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God, seeking to keep all of His ways in agreement with the ways of God, and trusting God to show Him what to do and when to do it? I encourage you to read those first eleven verses of Matthew four again and put yourself in the place of temptation.
Another quote to consider might be 1 John 2:15-17. “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.” (NASB)
Everything is About God 