Overcoming Temptation – Jesus' Victory and Our Power in Himનમૂનો

The Second Temptation – Power and Glory (Luke 4:5-8)

"Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, 'All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.' And Jesus answered and said to him, 'Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, "You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve."'"
— Luke 4:5-8 (NKJV)

"Showed Him all the kingdoms..." – (epideixas autō panta ta basileia) means "showed" or "displayed." The verb suggests that Satan displayed the kingdoms of the world to Jesus in an overwhelming, instantaneous manner (a moment of time).
(panta ta basileia) means "all the kingdoms," referring to the earthly dominions and powers under Satan’s influence, which he claims to control.

Biblical Understanding: Satan is offering Jesus an immediate path to worldly power and glory, bypassing the suffering and sacrifice that Jesus must endure through His mission. This temptation is not just about power; it's a shortcut to dominion without the obedience to God required by God's plan for Jesus.

Application: Satan's offer of instant power often tempts us to seek worldly success and glory outside of God’s will. But true authority is only granted through obedience to God’s purpose and timing.

"Get behind Me, Satan!" – (hypage opiso mou, Satana)
means "go away" or "get behind," indicating a strong rejection. This command forces Satan out of Jesus' presence.
(opiso mou) means "behind me," which suggests Satan has no authority over Jesus. Jesus refuses to follow Satan’s direction.

Biblical Understanding: Jesus commands Satan to leave a decisive rejection of his false promises of power and glory. By addressing Satan directly, Jesus is asserting His authority over the enemy and affirming that worship belongs only to God.

Application: When we face temptations to pursue worldly rewards or glory, we must follow Jesus’ example and resist by proclaiming our allegiance to God alone. True victory is found in standing firm in God’s authority over every temptation.

"You shall worship the Lord your God..." – (Kyriou ton Theon sou proskynēsēs)
(Kyriou) means "Lord"—Jesus emphasizes that only God is worthy of worship.
(proskynēsēs) means "you shall worship," referring to adoration and reverence directed toward God alone. It comes from the verb (proskyneō), which implies an act of humble submission.

Bible Understanding: Jesus directly quotes Deuteronomy 6:13, affirming that God alone is worthy of worship. The heart of this temptation is a test of devotion and allegiance. Satan offers earthly power in exchange for worship, but Jesus rejects the notion of worshipping anyone but God, standing firm in the command to serve only God.

Application: Worship is not just an act of adoration but an expression of who we serve. Our lives must reflect worship of God alone, rejecting all false idols and temptations that promise worldly rewards without Him.

Related Scriptures:

Matthew 4:9 – Satan’s offer of dominion is a counterfeit promise:" And he said to Him, 'All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.'"

Insight: The temptation in Matthew is very similar, where Satan promises earthly dominion in exchange for worship. This is a false promise Satan has no real authority to offer what he claims. It serves as a reminder that worldly power is fleeting and deceptive.

Revelation 19:10 – Only God is worthy of worship:"And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, 'See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.'"

Insight: In Revelation, even the angels refuse worship, directing all worship to God alone. This affirms that God alone is deserving of our adoration and service, a core principle that Jesus upholds in rejecting Satan's offer.

Revelation Insight:

The second temptation reveals how the devil often tempts us with promises of instant gratification, power, and glory. These counterfeit promises and false sense of success offer shortcuts to what we desire, but at the cost of our devotion and worship to God. Jesus teaches us that true authority and power come only through obedience to God and worship of Him alone. The world's glory is temporary, but God’s kingdom is eternal.

Application Points:

Resist the Temptation of Instant Power: The devil often offers quick solutions to our desires for a false sense of success or recognition. But true authority comes when we submit to God’s plan and timing, not when we try to shortcut His will.

Worship God Alone: Our worship defines who we serve. When we face temptation to compromise our values for worldly gain, we must reject it and reaffirm our commitment to worship God alone. True victory is found in giving God our full allegiance.

Reject Worldly Glory: The world offers us glory, fame, and power but these are fleeting. Instead, we should seek eternal rewards from God, living humbly and obediently to His will.

Prayer for today:

Lord, thank You for teaching me that true power and glory come from You alone. Help me to resist the temptation to seek quick, worldly success that would lead me away from You. May my heart and life be fully devoted to worshipping You, and may I find my fulfillment in serving You alone. In Jesus' name, Amen.