What Lies Behind Temptation

The temptation always seems to innocent – and delicious – at the time, doesn’t it? It seems to come with so many promises. Wealth. Power. Satisfaction. Fulfillment. Relief. Euphoria. Escape. Love. And on and on. The voice of temptation speaks to us, telling us we won’t suffer; there won’t be any negative consequences, and surely we’ll get away with it. How deceived we are. For so often we neglect to see what lies behind the temptation. The devil whispers to us about all the good stuff we can have and that will happen to us if we would only say yes to the temptation. Then comes the next sentence.

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When the devil tempted Jesus Christ in the desert by offering Him all the world’s kingdoms seen from a high mountain, the devil made it sound like the temptation would be wonderful beyond measure. Then came the next sentence. “If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.” There was the hook. There was the price to be paid. Jesus would have to worship the devil to get what the devil offered Him. Jesus’ answer was simple and direct. We must worship and serve only the Lord God almighty.

We are fools to think that what the devil offers us in the way of temptation comes with any less of a hook and a price. When we say yes to what we know is sin against God, we are bowing down and worshiping the devil. Oh, but the temptation looks so good, doesn’t it? Just remember whose voice is whispering in your ear to just say yes to the temptation. Don’t take the bait. Worship and serve the Lord.

Luk 4:5  And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 
Luk 4:6  And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. 
Luk 4:7  If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. 
Luk 4:8  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 

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