God's Promises are true, Satans are false

In Matthew 4:1-11, we have the account of Jesus' temptation from Satan in the wilderness. Satan comes to Jesus twice and tempts him to test God's power, asking him essentially "If you are the Son of God, turn these stones into bread." and then, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself off the temple and let the angels rescue you." In the third temptation, Satan moves to a different tactic- not questioning Jesus' power, but his heart. Satan took him to a very high place and showed him all the kingdoms of the world saying, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." Notice that the false promise was given first. Satan wanted Jesus to turn his heart away from God. Satan's promise was a worldly kingdom- one of temporary riches, influence, status, and power. When Satan tempts us, it is usually with a false promise of pleasure, comfort, power, recognition, or status. God calls us to worship Him because he is eternal, and because nothing can compare to Him. When we worship idols we worship what is temporary: a job, a relationship, an achievement, or simply things we don't have that we wish we did. Satan would have us believe that loving temporary things will give us eternal satisfaction. Nothing could be more of a lie. Jesus' response to Satan was God's word: "You shall worship the Lord your God and serve him only." The only one who can give eternal joy is God who is himself eternal. Let us turn our eyes toward heaven this week and keep them on eternal things, not on earthly things.