(8) Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. (9) And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me." (Matthew 4:8-9)
I received that verse via the email verse-a-day I have subscribed to.
(Before I go on, let me do this: You can find the verse and the message here at The Berean. I just LOVE the site! I have to go and study their message for the day, but the verse alone brought many things to mind for me that I want to share with you.)
You all know that I have a concern about the different media I expose myself to: music, television shows, websites, etc. One of the reasons I try to be very careful about what I absorb through these avenues of "entertainment" or distraction is that I worry about the messengers involved. I don't know anymore what to think about some of the music artists out there. I want to think that most of them are simply talented people expressing themselves through their art - the same way I try to do through my writing. I don't know if that is true of a lot of artists. When I look at their public behavior, when I pay attention to the messages in their lyrics and in their videos... I really don't know what to think. And, for some of them, I wonder what their true motivation is.
When I see many of the "hot" artists out there, I notice that they are very, very wrapped up in their materialistic image. They try so very hard to be "cutting edge" with the way they dress and otherwise express themselves. It's so often not just about their music anymore. So... What is their motivation? What really drives them? And if they are motivated by the wrong things, how much of that affects the listener, viewer or (for the die-hards) fan?
I think about how much energy has to go into what most performers do - not just on stage or in a studio, creating a product - but all the other stuff. And I wonder what drives that drive, if you know what I mean.
Anyway, I can get off the famous people and look at "regular" people I know. When someone is very driven by materialism, where does their spiritual life come in? If you, for example, pledge your heart and soul to the Lord, how much of you is there left to worry about having the latest car, the biggest house, the most "bling"? How much of you is left to celebrate your life as a Christian if your material life consumes you to such a degree?
I guess I am thinking of the teaching about serving two masters.
Going back to the verse that I opened this post with, I wonder how many people have decided to take Satan up on his offer? And I'm not talking about people participating in dark ceremonies, joining secret societies, etc. (I'm am sure that happens too, but...) I'm talking about people who have wished for or said in their hearts what they would give to ... (take your pick) ... be more successful, have more fame or money, or whatever it is.
I'm just hoping that as a Christian, I remain faithful and on my guard against Satan's whispers. And anyone who has been through tough times will know what I mean. Satan will catch us at a low point in life and tempt us with lots of things...
- Why be honest about everything? What has being honest (or faithful, or kind, or patient, etc) gotten you?
- Go ahead and give up. God has let you sink this low, why not just give up?
- Nobody loves you the way you are. Change and be something different so that people will pay attention to you.
- Next time don't be so nice. See what being nice got you this time.
- "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me."
When I feel tempted, I have to remind myself that if Satan has so much to give, why does he have to whisper to me. I also remind myself that life here is so very, very temporary. So, no thanks, Satan. I think I'll hold out for something a little more permanent that riches or fame or being a pretty face on a magazine cover.
Peace
--Free
