Proverbs 16:18 Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.
Ezekiel 28:17a Your heart was filled with pride because of all your beauty. Your wisdom was corrupted by your love of splendor. Lucifer and the angels who fell in sin were filled with pride and the vanity of their magnificence. It is no wonder that the temptation offered to Adam and Eve was birthed in the sin of pride. Gen. 3:5 In fact, God knows that when you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. Imagine being tempted to be like God. The insidiousness of the sin of pride cannot be overstated. Satan tempted Eve from the depths of the envious pride that was now permanently part of Satan’s character.
We could say that this prideful vanity found in the hearts of the fallen angels is the zeitgeist of our time. The narcissistic behavior and puffed up self-image that many people have of themselves has found its way into the very persona of our generation. “My opinion is my god, and you cannot dethrone me with your opinion,” is said with force from all manner of media platforms and acted out in crass exhibitionism. Hubris and arrogance have taken over their minds and they have lost their ability to blush. Vulgar expletives have become their spoken word. Prov. 14:3a A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride.
The sins of angels are powerful temptations to overcome because these angelic beings were in fact, so beautiful. If supernatural beings like angels could not control the pull of these sins, then what makes humans think they can resist the temptation of pride in their own strength? All sin is rooted in pride, envy, and vanity. We need a savior who defeated sin in all its ugliness. Plus, He has the ability to bring us into a position of righteousness – because of the power of Jesus’ blood that was shed for us. We need Christ guiding our thoughts and intentions of our heart to overcome the slithering wickedness that results from acting out in pride.
Why is pride so destructive to the human soul? Because, it causes mankind to stop seeking, longing, and praying to God. Psalm 10:4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. This is what happened to Lucifer when envious pride filled his heart. He felt he could take God out of the picture so to speak. He thought he was greater than God. Prideful vanity distorts the image within one’s heart and mind.
Lucifer thought he could reign over God rather than serve Him. Isa. 14:13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Lucifer imagined he would rule but the exact opposite took place. He was cast out of heaven at the speed of lightning. Luke 10:18 He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like lightning. The sin of pride sealed Satan’s fate forever. Isa. 14:15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
If we want to be exalted in life, God says to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God. 1 Pet.5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. It is so incredible that God humbled Himself, and came to earth as a man. If God uses humility to reach us in love, then we too can be humble in our hearts when expressing love and submitting to our Heavenly Father.
There is no need for pride, envy, or vanity when we are in communion with our God. These sins of angels only show up in our lives when we forget to walk in forthrightness with our Lord. Don’t let Satan give you part of his character. Happy is the man who walks with no sins weighing him down. Psalm 32:1 How joyful is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! Do you want victory over pride? Then give all unrighteous pride back to the enemy from where it came. May real peace fill your lives. Amen!
Thank you Kathleen
Excellent article