The Delusive Glory of This World's Kingdoms

By A. W, Tozer

Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan:
for it is written. Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God.
And him only shalt thou serve.     -  -  -  Matthew 4:10

    The delusive quality of all human glory is taught
throughout the Bible, and with bold emphasis in the
New Testament.  It has been taught also with great
clarity by the saints and faithful brethren since the
days of the apostles.

    Satan once tried to bring about the downfall of Christ
by offering Him all the kingdoms of the world and the
glory in them.

    In presenting to the Man Jesus the glory of the world
he was shrewdly taking advantage of a known weakness
in the human race.  The trick should have worked, and it
would have worked but for one thing: This was no fallen
man Satan was attempting to seduce.  It was a sinless
Man full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whose penetrating
glance  pierced  the  world's  attractive exterior.

    Beneath its gaudy allurements He saw the corruption
and the decay.  He knew its glory was but bait to catch
foolish victims.  He knew its bright promises were all
lies.  Our Lord saw what other men could not see.  He
saw not beauty but death, a garish death that must be
purchased at the price of the soul. What He saw revolted
Him---He would have no part of it!

    All this Jesus knew; and Satan for all his wisdom did
not know that He knew it. The devil is familiar with the
Bible, but still he did not know or he would not have
attempted the impossible, and that to his own confusion
and permanent loss of face!

    Here is sufficient proof that the devil is wise---but not
wise enough!

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Yours in Christ,
Paul N. F.