Spoiler Alert!
26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule … 27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule!” … And it was so. 31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.
(Genesis 1:26-31)
The devil said to Jesus, “I will give you all the authority and splendour of the earth; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to.”
The devil said to Jesus, “I will give you all the authority and splendour of the earth; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to.”
(Luke 4:6)
The first chapter of Genesis ends with a celebration of how good the world was when God created it. Five times in the chapter, the Lord declares that his creation is “good”, but as soon as humanity begins to rule over his creation, the Lord declares a sixth time that it is “very good”. Nothing glorifies God more than people who gladly submit to his authority and who step up to his invitation to partner with him in ruling over the world.
Perhaps that’s why the devil was so determined to spoil creation. We are told in Genesis 3 that he tricked Adam and Eve into abusing their privileged position. He promised them that, if they allied themselves with him against God, they would become more than stewards for God. They would become little gods themselves.
When Jesus is tempted by the devil in the desert in Luke 4, we discover that this was the devil’s trick to usurp our authority to rule the earth for God. The New Testament goes on to explain that the devil enslaved humanity through sin and began to rule instead of them (John 12:31, 1 John 5:19). But praise God, that’s why Jesus became a human being. He has defeated the devil and recommissioned us to rule over the earth for the glory of God.
Perhaps that’s why the devil was so determined to spoil creation. We are told in Genesis 3 that he tricked Adam and Eve into abusing their privileged position. He promised them that, if they allied themselves with him against God, they would become more than stewards for God. They would become little gods themselves.
When Jesus is tempted by the devil in the desert in Luke 4, we discover that this was the devil’s trick to usurp our authority to rule the earth for God. The New Testament goes on to explain that the devil enslaved humanity through sin and began to rule instead of them (John 12:31, 1 John 5:19). But praise God, that’s why Jesus became a human being. He has defeated the devil and recommissioned us to rule over the earth for the glory of God.
1) Take a moment to reflect on what is happening in your city and nation. How would it be different if people lived entirely for God? What clues can you see that point to the fact that the devil has usurped control?
2) This is the difference that Jesus is referring to when he encourages us to pray to God our Father, “Let your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.” What would it look like for God’s Kingdom to come around you today?
3) Jesus tells us that the Kingdom rule of God begins within us (Luke 17:21). So don’t be like Adam and Eve. Embrace the rule of God today. What aspects of your life do you need to surrender fully to the Lord?
2) This is the difference that Jesus is referring to when he encourages us to pray to God our Father, “Let your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.” What would it look like for God’s Kingdom to come around you today?
3) Jesus tells us that the Kingdom rule of God begins within us (Luke 17:21). So don’t be like Adam and Eve. Embrace the rule of God today. What aspects of your life do you need to surrender fully to the Lord?
Lord God. I thank you that you are a good Father. I am so sorry for the times that I have gone my own way and surrendered the authority that you have given me to the devil instead. Today I surrender my whole life to you. Let you Kingdom come fully in me, so that your Kingdom can then come fully through me. Help me to rule for you. Amen.
If you have time, consider carrying on your conversation with God using one of our helpful Prayer Pathways.
Today’s Everyday Devotions have also inspired a devotional video that you can watch on our YouTube channel.
Today’s Everyday Devotions have also inspired a devotional video that you can watch on our YouTube channel.