Be Gone! :: Deeper Devotion

Be Gone!

June 20, 2008

By Glenn Ansley

Matthew 4:10
Then Jesus said to him, “Begone, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’”

This was it! A sharp rebuke. Three times Satan had tempted Jesus and twice already Christ had answered with Scripture. Satan had challenged Jesus’ status as the Son of God by demanding that He offer proof. This time, Satan offered him something that wasn’t his to give.

“Again the devil took Him to a very high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory; and he said to Him, ‘All these things will I give You, if You fall down and worship me.’”

“Begone, Satan!” …Then the devil left Him.
Satan didn’t care if Jesus turned rocks into bread, jumped off the temple, or inherited all the kingdoms of the world. Satan wanted Jesus to worship him, and by doing so, to magnify the creature more than the creator. It was the same apple that trapped Adam and Eve in the garden, the same apple that plagued all of mankind (Romans 1:25), and the same apple he offers to you today.

James’ command for you to resist the devil (James 4:7) is an echo of the words his brother spoke in Matthew chapter four. Paul reminds us that the Bible is our sword in this spiritual battle.

It’s important to remember Paul and necessary to remember James, but above all else, it’s imperative that you imitate Jesus. Satan could care less about hooking you on jealousy, pornography, or a eating disorder. He simply wants to keep you from glorifying your Heavenly Father. He’s knocking at your door, awaiting your permission to come in with his temptations of greatness and pleasure. You must not allow him. You must follow the example of Christ. Your decision to do so brings glory to the Father.

It’s not about your sin. It’s about His glory.