DEVOTION:WHAT CAN SATAN REALLY GIVE YOU?

Isn’t it funny that Satan wanted to offer Christ what He already had? How can a created being tell the creator, “I will give you this entire world if you worship me?” This is exactly what the devil told Christ in his last attempt to entice Him to sin.

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. Matthew 4:8

 

Listen to what Satan told Christ once they reach to the top of the mountain

All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me. Matthew 4:9

 

Can you imagine this? What can Satan give? What does he own? He cannot create anything out of nothing (ex-nihilo). For Satan is a created being too. So what power does a created being have over the creator? But he had the courage to ask Christ this kind of question. How can a creature ask the creator to worship him?

 

Here is how Christ responded

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only. Matthew 4:10

 

Notice in this response Christ demonstrates His authority over this created being, Satan. We would say in our contemporary terms, Satan crossed the line.

 

APPLICATION:

1. What can Satan really offer you that you do not have? What can he offer you that Christ, the creator, cannot give you? What can Satan promise you that Christ has not promised you? Yet just as he had the courage to tempt Christ, he will definitely do the same to you. I know that sounds scary, but that is the truth.
2. It is important to know that Satan lies and whatever he promises is temporary. In addition, with his promises, Satan does not tell the whole truth. He promised Adam and Eve that they would be like God, but he neglected to tell them that the result would be disastrous. Yes they got the knowledge of good and evil, but the consequences of their sin came at a cost to all mankind.
3. Ultimately Satan wants us to worship him instead of God. In many ways, he tries to divert our attention from God. Anytime you are focused on material things to the point that God has no room in your life, Satan is very happy. Because once you loose the connection between what you have and God, then Satan has a free shot at you. He can now manipulate you into thinking you are a god to yourself.
4. There will be some extreme circumstances where worshipping God will cost you your life. Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They refused to bow to the image of King Nebuchadnezzar knowing very well that the consequences for this was loosing their lives in the fire. But notice their response to the King
   1. Here are some threatening words from King Nebuchadnezzar

Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” Daniel 3:13-15

2. Here is their response to the King

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up. Daniel 3:16-18

3. Have you made up your mind that you would rather loose your life than worship anything else other than God?

In what other way, has this passage spoken to you?

 

Jesus said to him,

Away from me, Satan!

 For it is written:

 Worship the Lord your God,

 And serve him only.

 Matthew 4:10

 

The answer to this question should be

Nothing!

WHAT CAN SATAN REALLY GIVE YOU?

By Pastor Shadrack Ruto