Luke 4:10
For it is written, He shall giue his Angels charge ouer thee, to keepe thee. Luke 4:10 (KJV)
In Luke 4:1‑13 we read that Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness, where He fasted for forty days and was confronted by the devil’s three temptations. The second temptation occurs on a high mountain, where the devil shows Jesus all the kingdoms of the world in an instant and offers Him authority and glory.
The devil declares, “All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomever I will I give it.” (He is also recorded as saying, “All these things shall I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.”) The implication is that Jesus could bypass the cross and receive earthly dominion without suffering.
The devil claims that the power and glory of the kingdoms have been delivered to him and that he may dispense them at will. Yet Scripture notes that he is the “ruler of this world” (John 12:31) and that his authority is limited, temporary, and exercised only within the permissive will of God. The ultimate sovereignty belongs to the Creator alone.
In Luke 4:11‑12 Jesus answers, “Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” By this rebuke He rejects the devil’s offer, affirms exclusive worship of God, and acknowledges that His mission must follow the way of the cross for the redemption of humanity.
The temptation to obtain worldly power, fame, and material wealth appeals to human desire. The devil’s lure reminds us that we, too, can be drawn to such pursuits. Jesus’ firm refusal teaches us to place worship and service to God above all other ambitions.
The devil often disguises evil as attractive, presenting himself as a powerful being while his true authority is constrained. His offers lead to destruction, so believers must be discerning and rely on God’s Word to recognize and resist his schemes.
Jesus’ faithful resistance provides a model for every believer. His example shows the importance of aligning our desires with God’s will and rejecting worldly temptations. By looking to His response, we can find strength and inspiration as we confront our own trials.
