And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; 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.’”
Luke 4:6-8 NIV
After Jesus’ baptism, He went into the wilderness for 40 days. And at the end of that time, Satan began to tempt Him. In one of these temptations, Satan took Jesus to a high place and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world. He then offered to give it all to Jesus if He would bow down and worship Satan.
We can debate whether or not Satan actually had what he claimed, or could do what he promised. But for Jesus to do what Satan suggested would amount to putting Himself under Satan’s authority. No matter what He might have gained, in the end, He would have lost. But Jesus refused, responding from the Scripture that we should worship and serve God alone (Deut. 6:13-14).
Satan tempted Jesus by offering Him all that the world had to offer. He tempts us in the same way today. Not as a grotesque creature with horns and a pitchfork who tortures people in hell. But with all the glamor that Madison Ave, Hollywood, or Wall Street can provide.
When we fall for the lie that our happiness and fulfillment come from what this world has to offer, we have fallen into Satan’s trap (Gen. 3). It is possible that we may find temporary happiness and fulfillment in what this world offers. But it will not last. It is the road to ruin.
The only way to lasting joy and peace is by choosing to worship and serve the Lord alone and to experience His eternal splendor.
