KINGDOMS OF THE WORLD I
One of the daily temptations of the devil is to offer us a ‘kingdom’ or some other kind of domain or entity that does not belong to us, or should not belong to us. But the enemy says: ‘I’ve got a deal for you.’
Jesus went through this same ‘deal’ in the Wilderness Temptations:
“Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'” Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him. (Matthew 4:8-11)
The only thing Satan wants from us in this deal making is “to fall down and worship him.” So, any kind of false kingdom of dishonest gain, sexual sin, illegal power and authority, lying, greed, and self-promotion, etc. as opposed to the Kingdom of Light and Truth is “a kingdom of the world.” It is important to notice that the text says, “the kingdoms of this world and their glory.” There is a strong drawing of the flesh to desire the illegitimate glory and pleasure of the world. I think this is why prayer habits and trusting the Holy Spirit to guide us is so important.
The ‘kingdoms of the world’ can often be an easy deal to get into and a difficult deal to get out of. The way Jesus did it, and we must do it, was by authoritative degree: “Be gone, Satan!” Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.” (Matthew 4:8-11) They will minister to us as well.
“You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.” Jesus