February 5, 2022
Pray Against Attention-Seeking
Lord’s Prayer Focus: The Father’s Guidance
Jesus taught us that in our prayers we should seek God’s guidance away from temptation. In the final sentence of the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus prays: “And lead us not into temptation…” (Matthew 6:13a). Jesus shows us that we should be praying for God’s guidance. Guidance isn’t just limited to our next car, a new job, or what to study. We should pray for God to guide us away from and through temptation. The passages in this section show us specific ways to pray for God’s guidance and out of temptation.
Luke 4:9–13 (ESV) — 9 And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10 for it is written, “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’ 11 and “ ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’ ” 12 And Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” 13 And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.
The third temptation Jesus faced was the temptation of attention-seeking. Satan brought Jesus to the pinnacle of the Temple where thousands could witness Him display His power. Once again, as in the first temptation, the devil tries to get Jesus to question His identity — “If you are the Son of God…” Satan’s strategy is predictable. He will continue to go after your identity in Christ as a son or daughter of God, and He will most often do this during your weakest moments. You can expect the Enemy to come back to this temptation on a regular basis, making it even more important to be rooted in the Gospel and the truth of God’s Word.
The second part of this temptation was for Jesus to “throw yourself down from here.” The devil always seems to bring us into situations and opportunities where we can be seen by others. The temptation is rooted in the desire to put on a show and let others be drawn to you. This was not the way Christ was to call others to follow Him. Jesus said later, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him” (John 6:44). This is more than a theological truth, but a practical way for Jesus to live humbly and in obscurity. Leaping from the pinnacle of the Temple may attract crowds, but not disciples. That would require a different way.
Anyone can gather a crowd. Anyone can gain a following by showcasing their unique talents and gifts. Jesus could have truly put on a show in that moment! Instead, His way of getting others to follow Him was by loving them into the Kingdom. Lifting yourself up to attract others is not loving, but selfish. What is required to genuinely love another for their sake? It must begin by stripping all attempts to raise ourselves to a “pinnacle” where we can be seen or benefited from those relationships.
When opportunities increase our visibility, the temptation also increases, but the answer is never to attract or get the approval of others by raising ourselves up higher. Jesus realized it’s actually the opposite – not throwing self down to be exalted, but lowering self by being raised on a cross. That’s what makes disciples, and that’s what Jesus calls us to follow – His way of humility, obscurity, and hiddenness – assured of our Father’s love and worship of Him alone!
Consider:
Prayer Points:
Lord’s Prayer Focus: The Father’s Guidance
Jesus taught us that in our prayers we should seek God’s guidance away from temptation. In the final sentence of the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus prays: “And lead us not into temptation…” (Matthew 6:13a). Jesus shows us that we should be praying for God’s guidance. Guidance isn’t just limited to our next car, a new job, or what to study. We should pray for God to guide us away from and through temptation. The passages in this section show us specific ways to pray for God’s guidance and out of temptation.
Luke 4:9–13 (ESV) — 9 And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10 for it is written, “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’ 11 and “ ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’ ” 12 And Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” 13 And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.
The third temptation Jesus faced was the temptation of attention-seeking. Satan brought Jesus to the pinnacle of the Temple where thousands could witness Him display His power. Once again, as in the first temptation, the devil tries to get Jesus to question His identity — “If you are the Son of God…” Satan’s strategy is predictable. He will continue to go after your identity in Christ as a son or daughter of God, and He will most often do this during your weakest moments. You can expect the Enemy to come back to this temptation on a regular basis, making it even more important to be rooted in the Gospel and the truth of God’s Word.
The second part of this temptation was for Jesus to “throw yourself down from here.” The devil always seems to bring us into situations and opportunities where we can be seen by others. The temptation is rooted in the desire to put on a show and let others be drawn to you. This was not the way Christ was to call others to follow Him. Jesus said later, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him” (John 6:44). This is more than a theological truth, but a practical way for Jesus to live humbly and in obscurity. Leaping from the pinnacle of the Temple may attract crowds, but not disciples. That would require a different way.
Anyone can gather a crowd. Anyone can gain a following by showcasing their unique talents and gifts. Jesus could have truly put on a show in that moment! Instead, His way of getting others to follow Him was by loving them into the Kingdom. Lifting yourself up to attract others is not loving, but selfish. What is required to genuinely love another for their sake? It must begin by stripping all attempts to raise ourselves to a “pinnacle” where we can be seen or benefited from those relationships.
When opportunities increase our visibility, the temptation also increases, but the answer is never to attract or get the approval of others by raising ourselves up higher. Jesus realized it’s actually the opposite – not throwing self down to be exalted, but lowering self by being raised on a cross. That’s what makes disciples, and that’s what Jesus calls us to follow – His way of humility, obscurity, and hiddenness – assured of our Father’s love and worship of Him alone!
Consider:
- What “pinnacles” is the devil leading you to the edge of in order to attract attention?
- How are you tempted to seek affirmation, attention, and approval from others, more than God?
Prayer Points:
- In this moment, repent of secretly using people as props to increase attention or influence.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to resist the urge to draw attention to yourself through stories, embellished examples of self, comments to get a reaction or laugh, or making yourself sound better than you really are.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to help you be a supportive listener by refusing to talk about yourself unless asked.
Posted in 2022 Prayer and Fasting