Manipulation vs. The Path To True Prosperity

Listen to our friend Amanda tell how Satan tried to manipulate Jesus.

God allowed Satan to come alongside Jesus to tempt him. Satan first tempted Jesus to satisfy his own physical hunger. He then tempted Jesus to succumb to pride, to misuse his position as God's son to test God. Finally, Satan tempted Jesus with the lure of power, to circumvent the path of redemption at the cross and to seize control as an earthly king. Jesus countered each temptation with Scripture.

Today Satan attempts to seduce us with a similar self-focus. Just like he tempted Jesus, Satan tempts us to exchange worship for earthly comfort, pleasure, and triumph. He even manipulates Scripture and tells us our allegiance to God will bring us wealth, success, and perfect health. But Jesus showed us what true prosperity looks like—living by the word of God and worshiping him alone. True prosperity does not mean we receive all our earthly desires. Instead, we align our desires with God’s.

Jesus aligned his desires with the Father’s and chose our true prosperity when he stayed on the path to the cross. He chose our redemption. Because of Jesus, we can choose true prosperity too.