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The Story of Jesus
For a moment Christ looked upon the scene. Then He turned away.
Satan had presented the world to Him in the most attractive light; but
the Saviour looked beneath the outward beauty.
He saw the world in its wretchedness and sin, apart from God. All
this misery was the result of man’s turning away from God to worship
Satan.
Christ was filled with longing to redeem that which was lost. He
longed to restore the world to more than its Eden beauty. He wanted
to place men on vantage ground with God.
For sinful man He was withstanding temptation. He was to be an
overcomer, that they might overcome, that they might be equal with
the angels, and be worthy to be acknowledged as sons of God.
To Satan’s demand for worship, Christ answered:
“Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the
Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.”
Matthew 4:3-10
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The love of the world, the lust for power, and the pride of life—
everything that draws man away from the worship of God—was em-
braced in this great temptation of Christ.
Satan offered Christ the world and its riches if He would pay
homage to the principles of evil. So Satan presents to us the advantages
to be gained by wrongdoing.
He whispers to us, “In order to succeed in this world, you must
serve me. Do not be too particular about truth and honesty. Obey my
counsel, and I will give you riches, honor, and happiness.”
In obeying this counsel we are worshiping Satan instead of God.
It will bring us only misery and ruin.
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Christ has shown us what we should do when tempted.
When He said to Satan, “Get thee hence,” the tempter could not
resist the command. He was compelled to go.
Writhing with baffled hate and rage, the rebel chief left the presence
of the world’s Redeemer.
The contest was ended for the time. Christ’s victory was as com-
plete as had been the failure of Adam.
So we may resist temptation, and overcome Satan. The Lord says
to us, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God,
and He will draw nigh to you.”
James 4:7, 8
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