From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” – Matthew 4:17 (NIV). Read Matthew 4:1-17 about Satan’s temptation of Jesus.
This week there have been numerous articles commemorating the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and “15 Days to Slow the Spread.” I was reminded of how in true Saul Alinsky never-let-a-crisis-go-to-waste fashion Klaus Schwab and the World Economic Forum (WEF) announced their The Great Reset initiative. It’s purpose: “to use this unique moment in history provided by the disruption of economics, politics and our everyday life to catalyze a new approach to how our societies are run.” https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/08/building-blocks-of-the-great-reset/
Over the past two years, the influence of WEF (established in 1971) has increasingly and maliciously infected governments, corporations, universities, media, the Roman Catholic Church and many mainline denominations. Its tentacles reach long and deep and its list of “disciples” include political figures like Justin Trudeau, Emmanuel Macron and Pete Buttigieg, as well as corporate executives, media influencers, educators and others from around the world.
As I explored the WEF website I was amazed at how openly anti-Christ the whole enterprise is. Their core tenets on basic things like human nature and property ownership are antithetical to Christian teaching and the foundations of Western Civilization. Check them out for yourself.
How could they be so influential? As I read, I was reminded how Satan tempted Jesus.
WEF’s promises, like Satan’s, sound good: things like ending poverty and hunger, social justice, global sustainability, and world peace. But the devil, or course, is in the details. Klaus Schwab and his Davos compatriots are tempting the world with a utopia by means that are nothing more than attempts at gathering power to themselves, power that belongs to us individually and to God. Just like Satan did.
Gallons of ink have been used exploring the depth of meaning in Satan’s temptations and Jesus’ responses. Today, I simply want to share what Jesus said to Satan to help us resist these and other temptations.
“It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Our Heavenly Father knows our physical needs, as well as what we need emotionally and intellectually. He also knows that He alone can fill that God-shaped void in all of us. We find satisfaction for all our needs in God’s Word - God’s Word in the Bible, in the creation He spoke into existence, and most of all in The Word, His Son Jesus.
When faced with temptation: Follow Jesus.
“It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
Jesus is referring to when the Israelites wandered in the wilderness: “And he [Moses] called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the LORD saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?” (Exodus 17:7)
When faced with temptation: Remember, you are not alone. God is with you.
Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”
Whom do you worship? Whom do you serve? What consumes most of your time, money and energy? As Jesus later observed, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)
When faced with temptation: Put God first. NFL legend Gayle Sayers put it this way: “The Lord is first, my friends are second, and I am third.”
After being tempted, “Jesus began to proclaim, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’” “Repent” is a one-word summary of Jesus’ responses to Satan. The word “repent” might have a negative connotation for some because in English it carries with it a sense of shame and remorse, but “to repent” in the original Greek, metanoia, means to change ones mind or purpose. Repentance is about making a heartfelt change. To fight the temptations of Satan, the temptations of those promising utopia, the only answer is to repent – to turn away from whatever distracts us and to turn toward God and His purposes.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, temptations surround us. The struggle of good versus evil is real. You provided the perfect new beginning for our world in the life, death and resurrection of Your Son Jesus. That is what changed everything. It is to Jesus we should turn to solve the world’s problems. Help us do that. Help us repent. Help us resist the temptation to think we can make the world a better place without Your help. Deliver us from the evil that surrounds us. You, and you alone, are our only hope. In Jesus’ powerful name I pray. Amen.
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” – Matthew 4:17 (NIV).
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