WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD AND HIM ONLY

Passage: Matthew 4:5-11

Key verse: 10

NIV

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city(A) and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,”(B) he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
    and they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[a]”(C)

7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[b]”(D)

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan!(E) For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[c]”(F)

11 Then the devil left him,(G) and angels came and attended him.(H)

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Footnotes
  1. Matthew 4:6 Psalm 91:11,12
  2. Matthew 4:7 Deut. 6:16
  3. Matthew 4:10 Deut. 6:13
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

5 (A)Then the devil took him to (B)the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,

(C)“‘He will command his angels concerning you,’

and

“‘On their hands they will bear you up,
    lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”

7 Jesus said to him, “Again (D)it is written, (E)‘You shall not (F)put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8 (G)Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, (H)Satan! For (I)it is written,

(J)“‘You shall worship the Lord your God
    and (K)him only shall you serve.’”

11 Then the devil left him, and behold, (L)angels came and were ministering to him.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Do not put the Lord to the test (5-7)

The devil took Jesus up to the top of the temple, the only sky-scraper around, and challenged him to jump off. 'You'll be okay. After all, you're God's Son--aren't you? Anyway, the Bible says that God's angels will save you.' He was testing Jesus' personal faith in God's power and in God's love. He cleverly interpreted the Bible in his own way. But Jesus was not fooled. He answered with God's word (Dt 6:16). We should not listen to Satan even when he quotes scripture. The Bible should not be manipulated to fit anyone's ideas. We must study to find out what the author is saying.

2. Worship the Lord your God (8-11)

Satan's final temptation offered Jesus a quick, easy way to accomplish his mission. One bow to Satan, one small compromise, and the kingdoms of the world would be his! He could become a king without the cross. But Jesus was not fooled. Look at his unequivocal answer (Dt 6:13).

Prayer: Lord, I trust your love and believe your power. Help me to follow your word without compromise.

One Word: Worship God and serve him alone