While in prayer this morning, the thought arose, “When we pray to Jesus is it because we desire righteousness to be more evident in our life (to glorify Him) or are our prayers more the less to receive items for pleasure?” Let me define, “items for pleasure”. Material means such as money, cars, clothes, houses, etc. This could also be applied to job promotions, favor as well. Let me be clear, there is nothing wrong with asking for these things. Indeed, the Lord’s prayer, “Give us today our daily bread…” (Matt. 6:11). However, there is something tragically, dare I say, Satanic, about asking for material goods without the foundation of righteousness. Let me explain.
While Jesus was in the wilderness, Satan tempted Jesus three times. One of those temptations was the following,
“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.”
As we see in the above interaction between Jesus and Satan, Satan was making an appeal to Jesus’s flesh. He was tempting him with the pleasure of ruling over the kingdoms of the world while being under his (Satanic) rule. As we know from Scripture, Satan is the prince of darkness, that is, unrighteousness (Col. 1:13; Eph. 2:2; Acts 26:18). In addition, he is the god of this world (2 Cor. 4:4). Seemingly, he would love to give us “what our hearts desire” as long as it has nothing to do with God’s righteousness. Indeed, this was the scene being captured when he tempted Jesus. Likewise, this is the scene we encounter daily while being in this world.
For example, if one is desiring job promotion, nicer home, etc., and prayers consist primarily of this content; yet, has no desire to forsake his/her pornography addiction, haughty spirit, love of music that degrades women and elevates profaneness, etc, it could be deduced that the above prayer is Satanic in nature. This would be exactly what Satan wants for your life, “Success void of God’s righteousness”. Does not Jesus say,
“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matt 6:33).
And in another place James states, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?” (James 4:4)
In short, God’s Kingdom and His righteousness should be our chief desire above all. As stated above, it is not sinful to have wealth and influence; however, it can become tragic if we place the cart before the horse (prioritizing material means over God’s righteousness).
Take heed…
