Wednesday, February 5, 2014

The Real Worship War

Been reading through the Gospels this week.  That's where we find the real worship war as opposed to the ones some have tried to create in the church.  It is made clear in Scripture that Jesus is fully God and fully man.  Satan purposes to kill, take from, and totally destroy all humans - because we are created in the image of God.  Above all he wants to destroy our worship and steal our relationship with God, making sure we are destined for hell.  Looking in the Gospels we see where satan therefore tries to do the same to Jesus, replacing Christ's worship of God with worship of him.  So, satan declares a worship war against God in the flesh!

After His baptism Jesus is led into the wilderness "to be tempted by the devil."  First satan tries to get Jesus to doubt God's Word.  But Jesus knew He was the Word and the Bread of Life and rebuffed satan.  First attack was to doubt God's Word.  He will do the same today in his war on worship with us.

Secondly satan seeks to get Christ to put God to a test.  Will He really catch and care for Him?  He seeks to sow doubt.  But Jesus answers with Scripture, "You shall not put the Lord Your God to the test".  Again, satan will do the same in the midst of our trials and difficulties, he will seek to sow doubt in our hearts therefore hindering our worship of Christ.

Then satan goes for broke, challenging Jesus directly to worship him.  Satan tries to force Jesus to choose an inheritance by worshipping him rather than God.  But Jesus knew you couldn't inherit what is already fully yours.  We need to be very aware that many times satan will seek to entice us to worship the gift rather than the giver - which will destroy our authentic worship of Him.  

Lastly, we need to realize that satan attacked Jesus right at the time He was seeking to obey the Spirit who was leading Him into the wilderness.  Satan will try the same ploy with us.  He will seek to lure us away right when we are praying or worshipping, through distractions or restlessness.  We must never forget we are in a spiritual battle for our worship! mjm