The Sins of Angels

by Jul 4, 2019Devotional2 comments

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!
Find Other Devotions About:

2 Comments

  1. Anonymous

    Excellent article

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sir Norm’s Proverbial Comment

Stop Watering Dead Plants

Fear Of Normal

Proverbs 10:24 What the wicked fears will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted. The amazing transformation that took place in the mind, body, and soul of the madman of Gadara is a powerful demonstration of the love and power of Jesus Christ....

The Best Day Of My Life

Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.              There are a lot of self-proclaimed gurus, life coaches, and mind-altering advisors these days vying for our attention. They claim we can create...

A Voice Of Understanding

Proverbs 8:1 Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?         John 1:23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’ ” There is a vast wilderness of...

Fooled By Tomorrow

Proverbs 3:28 Do not say to your neighbour, “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”— when you already have it with you.         I was talking with my friend David who over the last six months, has beat a few addictions and is still overcoming them day by day. I...

Honourable Mentions

Proverbs 18:24 A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.              In the Pastoral Epistle of 2 Timothy 1 verses 16 to 18, there is an honourable mention of the help Paul received from Onesiphorus. Who...

Just A Blanket

Proverbs 18:17 There are two sides to every story. The first one to speak sounds true until you hear the other side and they set the record straight.          In the fall of 1998, I was trying to understand the war between the Serbs and Croats, and like most ethnic...

Oh Goodness

Proverbs 2:9 Then you will understand righteousness, justice, and integrity — every good path.       When God appeared to Moses in the wilderness, why didn't God show Moses His perfection, righteousness, justice, or holiness? Of all the attributes that God could have...

A Real Tell-All Book

Proverbs 20:19 One who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a gossip.       I was shaking my head the other day when a news reporter was describing a new tell-all book about a person of celebrity status. The gist of the report was...

Satan Grins At Hidden Sins

Proverbs 28:13 He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy. I heard the expression, "We are as sick as our secrets.” and I was reminded of people who have chosen to walk in disobedience to God's directions and...

In Faith We Trust

Proverbs 13:13 He who despises the word will be destroyed, but he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.         Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who...

The Lie You Are Living

Proverbs 29:12 If a ruler pays attention to liars, all his advisers will be wicked.         The above proverb has an interesting twist to it. If I am living a lie, then my counsel or advice to myself will be corrupt because I will continue to propagate the lie I am...

Mythical Beings And Mysteries

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.              Mythical beings that have risen from folklore and superstition throughout history are strange and sometimes comical. Centaurs, vampires, werewolves,...

AudioReads

Darkness Bleeds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvnlBYHLQb0 It is easy to flow with the crowd. Make up your own mind on what you see going on in people's lives.

Spiritually Empty

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrzTcPZcWQ8   If you find yourself spiritually empty, then fill yourself up with God and all that He has for you.

God In A Box

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFLy9PTBMNI We cannot contain God within any human device or box. However, we can have Him live in our hearts. How great is that?