Don't Sell Out

Matthew 4 records the three temptations of Jesus by Satan.  The first temptation (v. 3) was to turn stones to bread (to meet Jesus’ need for food).  The second (v. 6) is to jump from the highest point of the Temple (as if to test God’s faithfulness to Christ).  The third (v. 9) is to bow and worship Satan (in order to gain power over all the kingdoms of the world).  All of these temptations make an appeal to the core of who we are as humans.  The first two temptations are prefaced with “if you are the son of God,” as if to say, “prove who you are.”  The last makes an appeal to the lust for power, “I will give it all to you if you will kneel down and worship me.” 

The thing that stands out about these temptations, whether they appeal to a physical need like hunger or an egotistical desire like power, is that Satan was trying to tempt Christ with what Christ already possessed.  God has promised to meet our physical needs, Christ already possessed all the kingdoms of the world, and certainly there was no reason for Christ to prove who He was.  Of course, because of Christ spiritual strength, His closeness to His Father, and His all surpassing wisdom, these temptations went nowhere.

Over the centuries, Satan’s game plan has not changed.  On a daily basis he will seek to tempt the best of us.  He will use the ideas of happiness, contentment, fulfillment, and the like.  He will try to make us think that we can have now what we will never have if we keep following God’s rules.  He will try to make us think that God has forgotten us, that somehow we have been passed over.  Don’t fall for it.  Just as he tried with Christ, Satan will try to tempt us with the very things that are already ours.  The void that we so often think our sin is going to fulfill can also be filled in a right relationship with Christ.  Don’t sell out.  Don’t rush things.  Allow God the time to bring about, in the right way, His will and His plans for your life.