Luke Experience The Beginning Of Jesus’ Ministry Sýnishorn

Worship and Serve God only

As Christians, it is essential for us to understand that there are spiritual forces that will try to stop us or hinder us from reaching our destiny—from fulfilling God’s will in our lives. We learned that God’s Word would never return to him empty—without accomplishing God’s desires. So, we can be sure that if we trust God, and in him only, his perfect will will be done.

This does not mean that the devil will not try to ruin it for us. He will do everything in his power to manipulate God’s Word in an effort to undermine the truth. His aim is to defeat us at our weakest point and cause us to renounce God’s commands. 

This strategy is not new. The devil uses it on our Lord Jesus as he ends a 40-day fast. He challenges Jesus to turn stones into bread, but Jesus demonstrates that he takes orders from no one but the Father. Jesus quickly rebukes the devil with the Word of God, saying, “The Scriptures say, ‘No one can live only on food’” (Luke 4:4). 

Next, the devil leads Jesus to a high place and commands Jesus to worship him in return for power and authority over the nations on earth. But Jesus will not circumvent his destiny for what the devil offers. Again, Jesus rebukes the devil, telling him, “The Scriptures say: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve only him!’” (4:8). 

When that tactic fails, the devil makes one last attempt at getting Jesus to yield to him. He tells Jesus to jump off the highest point of the temple, since the Scriptures say angels will protect him. But Jesus overcomes the devil, telling him: “The Scriptures also say, ‘Don’t try to test the Lord your God!’” (v. 12). 

There are lessons to be learned from Jesus's temptations. To be victorious, we dare not fight the devil in our own strength but in the power and might of the Holy Spirit. We also need to commit God’s Word to memory so we can use it, as Jesus did, as a weapon against temptation. 

Reflect

Have you overcome bouts of temptation? Consider the value of your testimony and the positive effect it can have on others.

Pray

Father, keep me away from those things that would distract me from your Word.

Respond 

Revise your daily schedule to include more time to read the Scriptures and talk with God.

Lord, you are all I long for. I will worship and serve you with all my heart.