In this segment of the Genesis 1 to Revelation 22 Project, we are still implementing soap but in a “devotional manner.” We will still look at the text and draw our observations from the text and seek to apply faithfully. However, the whole segment will be done in a prayerful manner, seeking to engage our hearts and our minds upon Christ and His truth.
SOAP: Read Scripture > Observations on the Context > Apply Faithfully > Pray the Scripture
Worship the Lord Only
Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
Next, the Devil transports Jesus to a high mountain and caused Him to see all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. Satan tempts Jesus with power, wealth, and position (all of which Jesus eternally has Kingship of with His Father). But Satan’s subtle tactics are about to clearly show his motives.
9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Satan bluntly tells Christ that he, satan, will give Jesus basically the world if He falls down and worships him! How ridiculous! Satan doesn’t own the world and dole it out to people, even though he is the “god” idol of this world. God is the King of Kings! ….but often Christians have fallen prey to Satan’s false clamor and lie that he is in control and, that if they will work with him, that they can have a piece of power, of wealth, of prominence.
10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Jesus again battles Satan with the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17), again laying open Satan’s deception and standing upon the Truth that is revealed in God’s Word: “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.” We do not serve Satan. We are not to bow our knee in our hearts, physically with our bodies, or in compromises to “the god of this world,” Satan. We are not to serve the world and worship its wealth and allurements. No, we are to worship and serve God alone with all our heart, all our strength, all our mind, and all our soul.
11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
After this third temptation and defeat by the Word of God, Satan departed and angels came and ministered to Jesus! O how we must also remember that in the midst of our battles and temptations, God is awaiting to strengthen us at the end.
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Isaiah 41:10
When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. 18 I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.
Isaiah 41:17-18
Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. 10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. 11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
1 Corinthians 10:6-14