In a world where so many are "chasing the bag" (riches), "chasing clout" (power/notoriety), "doing me" (flesh/my will over all else), and other current catchphrases, what are you chasing? What are you buying into? You see so many images and influences of what we are supposed to desire and what the good life is supposed to be, but where are they really rooted?
In Matthew 4, the enemy tries to tempt Jesus by trying to get Him to give into hunger and create/eat food (lacking necessities/flesh/his physical will over the Father’s ultimate will), by testing His power, and also by offering riches.
The enemy can promise necessities, ways to fulfill your will, power, and riches, and even deliver on those promises. HOWEVER those things he promises are not his to give in the first place. EVERYTHING in creation belongs to the Lord (Psalm 24:1). Although He may allow the enemy to promise riches and glory and deliver those things, those things will not last. Your will can fail, power can be snatched away as quickly as it is gained, and riches can be spent faster than you can make it. Nothing established by man and by crooked ways stands. It will all eventually come crumbling down around you because only the things the Lord establishes will last.
Not only that, the Lord can offer so much more. He promises and delivers salvation, peace, joy, hope, refuge, rest, and so much more! The enemy dares not promise these things because he KNOWS he cannot deliver them. They’re not in him. The Word says, “A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression.” in Proverbs 29:22. In Revelation 12:12 it says, “for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!” That doesn’t sound very peaceful, joyful, hopeful, etc.!
This is why he caters to your VANITY and creates the illusion that those vain things are all you need to be happy. He’s somewhat right. Happiness is a temporary surface emotion.
“Rachel Fearnley, the lifestyle mentor, describes the difference between joy and happiness as this: "Joy is more consistent and is cultivated internally. It comes when you make peace with who you are, why you are and how you are, whereas happiness tends to be externally triggered and is based on other people, things, places, thoughts, and events."” (Taken from this article: Most Helpful Bible Verses About Happiness | Betterhelp). Happiness comes and goes just as quickly as the situation or environment changes.
Since he is the father of lies, all he can offer are surface temporary things. The Lord warns us about storing up treasures here on earth (Matthew 6:19-20) and that all things will be tried by fire (1 Cor. 3:13) So why pledge allegiance to the one who is a deceiver that can only give temporary empty things that will destroy you in the end?? (Psalm 37 & Psalm 94)
Who’s light are we really following as we try to "make it" in this world?