Changi Chapel

What are the dangers of being at the pinnacle?
In Luke 4:9, we see the Devil take Jesus and “set him on the pinnacle of the temple”. The pinnacle represents a position of high visibility, where prominence and preeminence is assured.

And it is here where we are most vulnerable to pride and self-glorification – which always is self-destructive.

In Dan 4:30, we see King Nebuchadnezzar at the pinnacle of his power say “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?” and immediately he was driven from his throne and began to behave like an animal.

“Pinnacle living” is a dangerous place to be. Which is why those in positions of power and prominence should serve in love and humility – failing which the “poison of pride” can kill them.

Do we under-estimate the power of doubt?

In Luke 4:9 we also see the Devil taunt and mock the Lord Jesus by saying “If thou be the son of God”. The “if” signifies the power of doubt. He was trying to instill this doubt in Jesus by saying “are you really the Son the God?” and “are you sure?”!

Doubt and faith are always mutually exclusive. It is always one or the other. We can never have both at the same time.

And doubt always instills fear. In Matt 14:31, we see how Peter when he was walking on water, takes his eyes of Jesus and begins to doubt – and then starts to drown.

Will we doubt or trust God in our difficult moments? Doubt can destroy one’s faith. But faith, certainty and confidence in God’s word, is what will see us through.

The danger of twisting God’s Word…

In Luke 4:10 we see the Devil quoting Scripture from Psalm 91:11 and 12. Whenever the Devil quotes the Scripture, he always twists it.

When he spoke to Eve in the garden of Eden, he twisted what God said. Twisting God’s Word is simply lying in God’s name – and to deliberately misrepresent God!

Peter warned of people “who are unlearned and unstable wrest and distort scriptures, unto their own destruction”. (2 Peter 3:16.) It is indeed destructive to distort what God has spoken.

Will we twist God’s Word for our own advantage or will we speak the truth without any agenda?

John B Samuel