Overcoming Power

Matthew 4:8-11 ESV
“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 I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.”  Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.”

Satan takes Jesus to a high mountain. The Devil is able to show Jesus all the kingdoms of the world. Satan offered Jesus rule over all of the earth with this temptation, though at a very high price. This was a pride of life issue. As I said before, satan works in three categories: lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and the pride of life.

Jesus was on a mission to save the world by His sacrifice, to offer grace for sins. To take satan up on his offer would have skirted around the plans of God. Jesus wants the whole world to be saved by grace, not shortcut the plans of God and give satan the preeminence. I like Jesus’ response, “Be gone, satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”

For us, pride of life is the sin that says, “I did this on my own”, basically we declare we are our own god. That sin has brought down millions of people, pride that says I’m in charge is a sin heading for a downfall.

When satan comes with this temptation, say, “Be gone satan!” When it looks like we are putting ourselves in charge instead of giving our life over to God and His control. What do we say when temptations come? “Be gone satan!”

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, it’s not by my might, not by my power but by Your spirit that we will overcome. I say this morning, “be gone satan in the name of Jesus.” I give all the glory and honor, my life and my family and all I have over to You Lord Jesus! My allegiance is to You Lord God! Amen!