Last week, we were learning about Jesus’ first temptation, and that God can satisfy all our needs when we read His Word and trust in Him for them.
This week, we will be looking at the second temptation in Luke 4:5-8 and we will see how we can apply this to our lives.
The devil led Him up to a high place and showed Him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to Him, “I will give You all their authority and splendour; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If You worship me, it will all be Yours.”
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’” [Deut. 6:13]
Luke 4:5-8 (NIV)
Jesus was pressured by the devil to worship him so that He could possess all the kingdoms of the world. You may be asking why it says ‘worship’? That doesn’t make any sense. This confusion is because of the way most Christians see worship; many think worship is when we sing songs.
That isn’t all there is to it.
Yes, we should sing songs that glorify God, but that isn’t actual worship. True worship is when you surrender – when you honour and respect God.
Now that we know what worship really is, we can understand what the devil meant by ‘worship me’. He wanted Jesus to surrender to him!
Think about it. The devil can also pressure and tempt us to worship and respect him rather than God this could be in the form of bad friends, wrong things etc. Then what did Jesus do about it, and how can I apply this to my life?
True worship is when you surrender – when you honour and respect God.
Here are a few things for your consideration:
Jesus had a comeback with Scripture as usual, but first, He rebuked Satan, saying, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, “You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.” ‘
He knew the reason why He was there. He was there to sacrifice Himself to He save His Father’s people.
He knew God alone should be worshiped; there was no way Jesus would slack in His mission, hence the reminder of Scripture.
We should live a life of worship, surrender and sacrifice. That’s what Jesus did for us. The least we could do is do the same (guided by the Holy Spirit, of course, more on this topic another time).
Disclaimer: We also have to realize that we will fall, that is part of the process, but that doesn’t mean we can keep living in sin. Romans 6:2-3 addresses this issue, and talks about how we should be dead to sin, but alive to Christ.
You also may be asking ‘Ok, I know that I must live a life of worship when I am following God, but how am I supposed to do that?’
When we live a life of worship, it must also be with obedience, because that is a big part of surrendering, picking up our cross and following Him daily, when we are obeying His commandments. We are to let God shape and purify our hearts to what He wants us to be. That’s pretty much what living a life of worship is. And if you find that you are struggling with your fleshly desires that are hindering your relationship with God, do not be afraid to ask Him for help, for He will gladly come to your aid (Matt.7:7).
I hope this has blessed you, and that you have found God in this. Until next time, God bless!
Eden A.
rooted-mag.com 