While studying this morning I came across that moment in Jesus’ life when Satan tempted Him up on the mountain. I inserted here for your convenience:
Matthew 4:8-10 (New Living Translation)
8 Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”
10 “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say,
‘You must worship the Lord your God
and serve only him.’[a]”
I found it very interesting that Satan thought He could trick Jesus but then I started thinking; isn’t this the typical scenario of the evangelical church? When we got the same offer from Satan, we kneeled to worship. Sure, not in the same way but in more subtle ways. It is seen everywhere in our culture, not the Worlds culture but in Christian circles. We, as Christians, have failed at the same test. We daily bite the forbidden fruit. We worship on Sunday but during the week our allegiance isn’t to Christ. Our allegiance is to prestige, money, the pursuits of material comforts, and anything else the world has to offer us. Most Christians continue to blur the line between devotion to God & His principles vs. living like the world and appeasing our flesh. Our reasons for living are no longer to be pleasing to God, to live for Him, to worship Him, or to make disciples. Our reasons for living have become all about building our earthly kingdom. Many of us know more about worldly life than the Word of God. You cannot serve two masters. For you will hate one & love the other (Matthew 6:24).
How do you know who has your allegiance? First, if what I’m saying offends you, there’s a clue! Here are others: Are you spending daily time in the Word of God or are you too busy? Do you spend time in prayer that is about more than your petitions for self? Do you find ways to witness to others? When you pray, “Your Kingdom come”, are you really wanting the Lord to return right now or is your citizenship of this earth too much to let go of, right now? Are you and your family singing tunes that are honoring & worshiping Elohim (our Creator & Judge) or something else?
If you are unsure then you should simply pray for God to reveal to you how or where your allegiance is divided and commit to making a change. Your life will reap the fruit of your decisions.
Until Next Time,
Kisha Guzman
Freedom is a great notion but without balance and purpose, a person will self-destruct.
When we chase money, we run away from God!
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