Don’t fall into the temptation to PROVE yourself. The devil would try to tempt you in the same way He did Jesus. Two of the three temptations the devil approached Jesus with were inciting him to PROVE himself.
Matthew 4:3 “IF YOU ARE THE SON OF GOD then turn these stones into bread”.
In other words PROVE yourself. Some teachings have focused on the fact Jesus was hungry and the temptation was surrounded by food. I beg to differ. I see the temptation was directed at Jesus security in his identity as a son.
In verse 4 Jesus’ reply was simply obedience to the word of God. “It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God”.
Verse 5 the Devil again tempts him to PROVE himself,
“Then the devil took Him into the holy city and placed Him on a turret (pinnacle, gable) of the temple sanctuary. And he said to Him, IF YOU ARE THE SON OF GOD, throw Yourself down; for it is written, He will give His angels charge over you, and they will bear you up on their hands, lest you strike your foot against a stone.”
Again Jesus’ response was the word. “Jesus said to him, On the other hand, it is written also, You shall not tempt, test thoroughly, or try exceedingly the Lord your God.”
Third and final temptation. Verse 8-9 “Again, the devil took Him up on a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory (the splendor, magnificence, preeminence, and excellence) of them. And he said to Him, These things, all taken together, I will give You, if You will prostrate Yourself before me and do homage and worship me.”
Jesus’ answer verse 10: “Then Jesus said to him, Begone, Satan! For it has been written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him alone shall you serve.”
My thoughts are this. If the devil can succeed at tempting you to PROVE yourself, then He will have you surrender to the third temptation and have you WORSHIPPING him. This is because, in order to prove yourself you will have to compromise obedience, and will forsake a spirit led life for a flesh driven, striving performing life. You are no longer under the yoke of Jesus which is light but now have re yoked yourself with the bond of slavery.
Jesus overcome by obedience and knowledge of the word. Not just knowledge only but surrender and obedience to it. If He didn’t know the word how then could he obey and overcome?
Folks the devil is after your worship, and his ploy is and has always been to dumb the church down from walking by faith to walking by performance led rituals, and self serving systems and programs.
A Hidden truth is that Performance is idolatry as it seeks the adoration of another other than Abba.
Those who resist the temptation to perform, are ones who are fed and sustained by the meat of doing the will of their father. They know too well their life source is not found in the opinions, criticisms, recognition and praises of mere men. They are secure in the affirmation of Heavenly Father and they KNOW for sure they are a son.
Those who yield to the temptation to perform, don’t really know who they are. Their inheritance of sonship hasn’t been solidified because they still seek acceptance from this earthly realm to validate a heavenly gift.
Saints I hear an exhortation from Father. “My sons don’t need to Prove themselves they just need to POSITION themselves”.
Position yourself in the word of God, let it be the anchor of your soul, and have the final verdict in your life. If you don’t know the word of God for a situation you are facing right now, then seek it out, the answer will surely be there for you. Don’t be deceived and yield to the temptation to perform and prove yourself, then wind up finding you are worshipping another in the process.
Don’t bow the knee to this deception. Abbas love is sufficient. Position your heart in trust and use the word of God to put the devil in his place.
