5The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7If you worship me, it will all be yours.” 8Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” (Luke 4:5 – 8)
As we considered the Discipline of Bible Study over the past three days, many of us confessed that despite our deep desire to study the Bible, we often fall short of the mark. We are clearly in a spiritual battle. It is probably timely, therefore, that today we switch gears to the Discipline of Spiritual Warfare. This Discipline addresses the fact that believers are engaged in a struggle every day, for “we wrestle not against flesh and blood.” So, how do our struggles relate to God’s glory? Well, the story of the temptation of Jesus demonstrates one clear way. The devil wants us to settle for counterfeit glory.
Please read the above passage carefully and answer the questions below.
Questions
- What are some of the ways that we are tempted to pursue counterfeit glory?
- What can we learn from Jesus’ response?
March 14, 2019 at 9:04 am
When we worship material things, such as money, our home or car as well as other people, our career and other idols, we are being tempted to pursue counterfeit glory. We must worship and praise God alone. Give Him the honor, respect and devotion He deserves.
March 14, 2019 at 9:24 am
We are tempted to pursue counterfeit glory when we desire some of the things of the world that are unnecessary, but we “think ” will make us happy or give us a certain status. There are many people who are not happy unless they are first, the best, or the boss. Being “glorified” by their peers or by anyone who is willing to, brings them great satisfaction.
Jesus’ response is perfect. It is also a response that should be embedded in our heart and our thoughts, along with, “Seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness…….” until we hear, “Well done good and faithful servant.”
March 14, 2019 at 10:02 am
We are tempted to pursue counterfeit glory if our focused is not on God’s purpose/plan for us, and instead we focused on ourselves and our selfish desires. Also, abusing God’s grace can lead us to do repetitive sins or mistakes. As God’s creation, we are made in His image and likeness, and that’s one thing we need to remember if we want to please and glorify our creator. We were giveen free will but that doesn’t mean we can just use it for satisfying ourselves in this world. We need to make sure our decisions and actions are aligned with GOD’s word. Sometimes, our prayers can also be selfish. Surrendering to God’s will and truly repenting when we’ve sinned is what the Lord expects us to do. Jesus Christ our Lord is a forgiving God and if we abuse His grace and if we keep on committing the same mistake, it doesn’t glorify our God at all. What I’ve learned from
Jesus’ response is that we need to acknowledge our creator/ savior and Be humble by being grateful. Always trying to please God even in little ways, because if small sin matters, then it would be hard to commit bigger sin and temptation because we are vigilant in praying and in asking our God that His will, will be done in our life. Surrendering all our plans and believing that our God is powerful and able to deliver us ftom all temptations is a virtue Jesus taught us through His word.
March 14, 2019 at 11:22 am
Aurora thanks sharing this thought-“because if small sin matters, then it would be hard to commit bigger sin and temptation”
I needed to remember that sin is sin and I should be fervent in my desire for holiness.
March 14, 2019 at 9:45 am
Yearning after everything that’s advertised, the latest trends forever being dissatisfied with possessions and the temptation for new physical purchases to keep in trend with others is akin to what Satan was attempting. The strength and purity of our faith in the Lord is what we should seek in life. All things are provided for us in so many ways beginning with love and a pure heart sharing with others at all levels.
March 14, 2019 at 11:15 am
I’m tempted at times to believe the counterfeit of my own glory. That something I have done or even given is of my own doing. At times the greatest battle is within me. I know that all that I am and will ever be is from and because of God’s grace and mercy. Forgive me Lord.
His glory and His Word reminds and convicts me that His glory is the only true glory.
March 14, 2019 at 12:01 pm
Even though “idolizing” feels like an extreme word, the things that we constantly prioritize over God are idols to us. They’re things that we give our best efforts to pursue, even sacrificing parts of ourselves to have them. In this way we are pursuing something alternate to satisfy ourselves, a counterfeit to God’s glory.
It’s interesting that Jesus didn’t reply something like “I already own everything under God” or “God gives me everything,” to counter Satan’s material offer. Instead he simply says that the real truth is to worship and serve God. From that I took away that not only are we mandated to worship and serve God, but living in that way is better than ANY wordly thing that Satan could have offered. Counterfeit glory is not appealing in the face of worshipping/serving God.
March 14, 2019 at 2:23 pm
Some ways that we are tempted to pursue counterfeit glory could happen when material & immediate rewards appear attractive; that we falsely believe can provide happiness.
Perhaps also when we have a false inflated importance of ourselves/ false pride.; when we forget to always focus on God’s word, his guidance.
Sometime we don’t discern that it is Satan at work.
We can learn from Jesus’ response the absolute need to know & use the power of God’s word, to turn to God, to put on the armor of God, to be able to overcome temptation, to overcome the devil.
March 14, 2019 at 4:33 pm
When we desire things of the world more than we desire God himself, we are pursuing counterfeit glory. The Parable of the Rich Fool comes to mind (Luke 12:13-21):
13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” We must ensure that we are rich towards God. I love this quote from John Piper that I think sums this up pretty well “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him” Jesus response to Satan was very appropriate because we cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24)
March 15, 2019 at 2:25 am
When I think of counterfeit glory, I remember the true story of a young man who studied and worked hard to climb the corporate ladder. his main aim in life was to become a millionaire by age 21. Sadly, he died from a crippling disease before that dream could be realised. I also recall the story of the rich young ruler in Matthew 19 who chose to walk away from Jesus after He told him to sell his possessions and give to the poor and then follow Him. Some people seek after the counterfeit glory of earthly wealth, but God’s Word admonishes us to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…Matthew 6:33. Another example of counterfeit glory is reflected in Matthew 6 where Jesus exposes the hypocrites who give alms, announcing it with trumpets in the streets and synagogues, and similarly make a show of prayer and fasting. Their hearts were not in the right place. They were seeking recognition and honour from others because they did not know what it was to truly worship God. Jesus’s response shows us that by worshipping God in spirit and in truth and eliminating all other gods from our lives, we will be empowered to fight the battles the enemy brings in our path.
March 15, 2019 at 5:53 am
Thanks to all for these fantastic comments! They are worth reading multiple times.