“A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.” (Proverbs 25:26)
Jesus is the rightful Head of the church. Our calling is to be submitted to the Son in all things. But the devil would very gladly usurp Christ’s place. He would have us kiss him, and not the Son. In the wilderness, he made his play for Jesus Himself, wanting Him to “fall down and worship” him. (Matt. 4:9)
Satan is a false god who loves fashioning men after his image. His design is to make every human being a rebel against their Creator. He is also power mad, and loves getting his way, no matter the cost. By hook or crook, he wants to win, and come out on top. Why? Because it means he is right. He truly believes he is a better god than the One who made him. He would have bribed Jesus with all the power and glory of the world if only Jesus would bow to him and his vision of what was good. But Jesus saw through his gambit, and turned him away. He would not fall down before him. He would not let an imposter play God. “Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” (Matt. 4:10)
Though Satan could not dupe the Head, he still seeks to dupe His Body. He sends seducing spirits into our midst, who advocate doctrines of devils. He would have us buy his vision of good, where we are like him, doing our own pleasure as “little gods.” His messengers would pose as “ministers of righteousness” and tell us how we ought to be. They would reprove us for not being more like our Master. But, in actuality, they are upset with us for not being more like their master.
Stand fast as Jesus did. Refuse to fall down before the wicked. Don’t let them shame you into compliance. Honor the true and the living God. Love Him. Love His Word. Rebuke the deceiver and every counterfeit “angel of light.”