Scripture: Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Matthew 4:10 NIV
Observation: Jesus rebukes Satan when he tries to tempt him.
Application: If only we could remember this instruction and always put it into practice, “worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.” Matthew 4:10b NIV Unfortunately, many times, we focus our attention on worldly possessions, on our looks, on our spouses, and that takes the focus off of the Lord. Our obsessions become our idols and we end up worshipping them instead of God. Jesus is clear, we must “resist the Devil” and worship God, and God alone.
Prayer: Father, if I fail you in any area of worship, show me. I want to worship you and nothing or no one else. Help me to remember that Satan wants to interfere with our relationship and that I must flee from his influences. Thank you. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Doug
Instructions For Life According to Jesus Christ 
Thank you Doug for sharing such clear thoughts on this verse from Matthew. Isn’t it interesting that Jesus, the very Son of God, rebukes Satan using words of scripture rather than new words and reasoning?
Who can doubt that Jesus could have said “I say that” or “the Father says”. Yet, he chose three times to quote from the Old Testament scripture. Isn’t that strange?
It’s deeply moving to think on this pure and unerring trust that our Saviour placed in the words of scripture, and pray that we might in all matters not place our own ideas above the word of God.
We are surrounded by those who seek ways to discount the weight of parts of scripture and seek many excuses to do so; in these great trials which truly are the assault of the devil, we can do no better than look to this our example in Christ and refuse to downgrade passages of scripture to suit the cultural pressures of modern life, but rather make our whole argument rest upon those holy and life giving words provided to us by God himself who is above all matters of the flesh and all sinful desires.
May the blessing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, our only mediator and only advocate, be with you and your family this week and as you continue your pilgrimage together towards the heavenly city in joyful gratitude for his redeeming work on the cross by which act alone are we justified.