We have looked at the first two temptations of Christ: the first appealing to physical need and the second appealing to desire. Today we look at the third: the appeal to emotional need. Did Christ have emotional need? Let’s see what Scripture states: “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’” (Mt 4:8-9)

Well, at first glance we see that this is rather strange. Who is Satan that he could even offer such a promise? Could he really grant such a thing? After all, doesn’t God own everything? Yes and no. God created everything—absolutely. And He controls everything—absolutely. But Adam gave something away a long time ago. God offered Adam a theocratic kingdom—one where Adam ruled with God’s authority and control (Gn 1:28). However, because of Adam’s rebellion—yes it was rebellion—Adam relinquished his kingdom to Satan. After all, that is why we are all born into sin—into Satan’s kingdom. He is not called ‘Ruler of the Kingdom of the Air’ for no reason. We are there automatically. We must want to be in God’s kingdom and make that choice. That is why the stakes are so high. That is why Scripture states we are condemned already (Jn 3:17).

Therefore, Satan had the kingdom to offer. Why would Christ want it? That was the plan—to take back the kingdom Adam had relinquished. Satan has always wanted to rule the world and has made several attempts in the past and will do so in the future. However, one of the goals of Christ is to take back that kingdom before this world ends and show that Satan is not the ultimate ruler. That is one of the main purposes for Christ one day to establish his Millennial Kingdom. So, here, we see Satan was willing to give up all of that and ‘help’ Christ out—for a price of course. What was that price? To bow down and worship Satan. Would that be so bad? After all, Christ would not have to go to the cross, would not have to endure all the pain and suffering. And he would obtain the goal of taking back the Kingdom from Satan. But it was not a win-win scenario. There was too much at stake here. What would be ultimately lost? Sin would not be atoned; mankind would remain under Satan’s control; now even the Godhead would be under Satan. Unthinkable!

So what did Christ say? Jesus replied, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only’” (Mt 4:10; Dt 6:13). Again, Christ did not ponder the request. Christ knew Satan was the father of lies (Jn 8:44). Satan, of course, always weaves in a few elements of truth to mask the lie. Sometimes it is hard to distinguish the lie from the truth. That is why Christ did not ponder, did not try to weigh the pros and cons. He knew Satan’s tactics and knew they were not worth considering. Christ stuck to Scripture; true, undiluted Scripture. We should too. Let’s take notice. We need to take Scripture at its face value and know that it is from God Himself. Let’s not try to reason and make it fit our desires. Let’s do the right thing and make our needs, desires, and emotions fit into what Scripture tells us. Then the same will happen for us as it did for Christ: “Then the devil left him” (Mt 4:11). We can be overcomers just as Christ himself was that day.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

We saw in the previous post that the first temptation Satan threw at Christ was around physical need and Christ responded that God’s will comes before His personal need. Now, Satan gets a little craftier: “Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ‘If you are the Son of God,’ he said, ‘throw yourself down. For it is written: He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up on their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” (Mt 4:5-6; Ps 91:11-12). You may be asking yourself, how is this a temptation? We stated that this second temptation was about desire. What was Christ’s desire? Well, we know that the message Christ would be preaching was the same message as that of John the Baptist: “Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand” (Mt 4:17). What better way to get everyone’s attention? Remember, Jesus is not yet on the scene and on everyone’s radar. Satan is saying, “Make a grand entrance. That will get everyone’s attention.” Think about it. Here they are on the temple’s pinnacle. At this time of Jewish history, the temple is a remarkably busy place. What would the people do if they saw someone falling but then angels protecting him from hitting the ground? What would you do? Would that grab your attention? That is was Satan was saying: “Dazzle them! That will get their attention. They will then be dying to hear what you have to say.” After all, when you think about it, it does not sound like a bad plan, does it?

But what did Christ say? “Jesus answered him, ‘It is also written: Do not put the Lord your God to the test’” (Mt 4:7; Dt 6:16). Did you catch that? Jesus gave Satan a double whammy. First, Christ said Satan should not even be testing him. Why? Because of the second point: Jesus Christ is Satan’s Lord and God. In other words, “Who are you, Satan, to be giving your Lord and God advice?” Smack. Ouch! Door in the face! Christ was saying God’s way is always best and anyone else’s way—catch that: anyone else’s way—should not be followed. Jesus made up His mind He would follow the way of God the Father. Only His way is the right way. It is just amazing to me how Jesus cuts to the heart of the matter so quickly—and decisively.

What about us? Do we do that? Or are we more like Eve. We ponder the temptation. We weigh it like it has equal merit to what God has already told us. No, Christ discarded it like day-old bread. He wasn’t going to do anything second rate. He was going to do it the right way – the best way. Let’s take notes on this one! But how can we know God’s way? We need to study Scripture. Just because we get quoted Scripture to us does not mean someone is telling us the right thing to do. Jesus knew Satan was taking Scripture out of context. Jesus quoted Scripture to put the conversation back on task. We need to study so we can discern Scripture correctly (2Tm 2:15). Christ gave us the example. Let’s follow.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens