Satan seldom shows up as the fiery demon that scares us to death. He is more subtle and craftier in his art of temptation. He puts before us what we want, addresses our purpose in life, and then promises a shortcut if we follow his lead.

The Father’s will called for Jesus to establish a kingdom, an eternal kingdom, but due to man’s sin, no one was worthy to enter. Jesus would have to purchase our entry by his death on the cross. The way to the kingdom was through the suffering of the cross. Satan proposed what seemed a better idea. He always presents his ideas as superior, doesn’t he? Satan proposed that the way to the kingdom could be secured simply by worshiping him. Jesus, Satan argued, could have all he wanted by following Satan’s shortcut. His offer to Jesus was to forget about the cross and simply bow before the “ruler of this world.”

Luke 4:5-8
And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’”

In what may have been a visionary moment, Satan promised Jesus all the kingdoms of the world. While he is called “the ruler of this world” (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11) and the “prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2), and while it is true that “the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one” (1 John 5:19 NKJV), Satan’s offer is overstated. Only God is sovereign over all and holds all authority. As in the first temptation, Jesus answered with a passage from Deuteronomy.

The nation of Israel was susceptible to idolatry. They were prone to worship other gods. So, in Deuteronomy 6, God made it clear that Israel should love him with all their heart, soul, and might. God warned them that when the promised land became their home, and their houses were “full of all good things,” they would be tempted to forget the One who had brought them out of slavery. He said, “It is the Lord your God you shall fear. Him you shall serve and by his name you shall swear. You shall not go after other gods…” (Deuteronomy 6:13-14a).

Satan feeds us the same line. He offers a shortcut to the things we want, even the things we were created to accomplish. All you must do is sell your soul to him. To resist Satan’s clever and deceptive lies, we must use Scripture just as Jesus did. We will not go after other gods. We will fear, serve, and worship the only true God, the Creator of heaven and earth.

Father,
Shortcuts are tempting. Please put red flashing lights all around them so we can spot them and refuse to buy Satan’s lies. In Jesus’ name. Amen.