‘The
devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain.’ Matthew 4:8
The
Bible says: ‘The devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed
Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All
these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus
said to him, “Away with you, Satan!…You shall worship the LORD your God, and
Him only you shall serve”’ (vv. 8-10 NKJV). Paraphrased: Satan said to Jesus,
‘If you serve me I’ll help you rise to the top.’ When your ultimate ambition is
to glorify God, you’re being led by God. But when your ultimate ambition is to
glorify yourself, you’re being led by Satan. And he’ll appeal to your pride,
for pride is at the very core of his being. His fall from the number-two spot in
heaven was preceded by these lofty aspirations: ‘I will ascend to heaven; I
will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount
of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above
the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High’ (Isaiah 14:13-14
NIV 1984 Edition). Satan wants to take God’s place, but God isn’t moving. Satan
covets God’s throne, but God isn’t abdicating. Satan wants to win you to his
side, but God will never let you go. The truth is: you can’t defeat Satan in
your own strength, but you don’t have to. The Bible says, ‘Let us…feel very
sure that we can come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we can
receive mercy and grace to help us when we need it’ (Hebrews 4:16 NCV). 
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