Fasting & Praying GuideSample

The second temptation Jesus faced in the wilderness was the temptation to test God through His own autonomy. Satan takes Him to the highest point in the temple of Jerusalem and tells Him to throw Himself off in order to confirm His identity as God’s Son. Satan even quotes Psalm 91:11–12 to give the appearance of scriptural support for his temptation.

Jesus recognized the temptation for what it was. It was an attempt to seize autonomy and force God to support His own endeavors. It was a way of testing God. Jesus knew this, so He quoted back to Satan the teaching of Deuteronomy 6:16: “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”

Reflection:

Why does Satan tempt Jesus with a promise He already has in Scripture? He wants Jesus—and us—to use the protection and power of Kingdom citizenship for our own selfish ambition.

How often have I used the blessings and favor of being part of God’s family for my own ambitions, gains, or self-preservation? I believe this is one of the greatest challenges in American evangelical Christian leadership today. We use privilege, wealth, influence, and even political power, but too often it’s for self-aggrandizement, self-promotion, or self-preservation.

Lord, guard my heart from myself. Never let me use my Kingdom leadership for anything less than the glory of Your name and the advancement of Your reign.

Are there areas in your life where you’ve misused the blessings of Kingdom citizenship? How can you realign them for God’s glory?