05/27/Th – The Fall of Pride

OT: “Shining morning star, how you have fallen from the heavens! You destroyer of nations, you have been cut down to the ground. You said to yourself, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will set up my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of the gods’ assembly, in the remotest parts of the North. I will ascend above the highest clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” But you will be brought down to Sheol into the deepest regions of the Pit.” (‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭14:12-15‬ ‭CSB)

Beginning in verse 3 of chapter 14, Isaiah prophesied the downfall and destruction of Babylon. Beyond the downfall of Babylon, Isaiah had a vision of the downfall of Satan. Lucifer is synonymous with the shining morning star mentioned here by Isaiah. The name Lucifer means “light-bearer,” so Lucifer was undoubtedly a very splendid creation. But in his splendor, Lucifer allowed his heart to be lifted up. At the root of Satan’s fall from glory was pride. Look at the words attributed to Satan: “I will ascend… I will set up my throne… I will make myself like the Most High.” Lucifer, now known as Satan the adversary, lifted himself up above the knowledge of God and attempted to make himself equal with God. In the process of lifting himself up, God cast him down from the heavens onto earth were he roams to and fro as he seeks people to trap in pride and self-reliance, that they may suffer his same fate. Ultimately, at the end of the age, Satan will be cast into the lake of fire along with all who fall prey to his deception and submit themselves to his ways.

Whenever we give ourselves over to pride, as align ourselves with Satan and the kingdom of darkness. Why do you think the Apostle James tells us in James 4:7 to first submit to God, then resist the devil? By not submitting to God, we are aligned with the devil. When we rid ourselves of pride, humble ourselves and submit to God, then the devil has no leverage over us. Then when we resist the devil as we are submitted to God, then the devil will flee. However, if we try to resist the devil in our own strength, he has already won. By relying on our own strength, we succumb to pride and in essence, cannot resist the devil whose ways are established on pride.

Proverbs: “The Lord has prepared everything for his purpose — even the wicked for the day of disaster. Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.” (‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16:4-5‬ ‭CSB)

The word here that is translated as “detestable” means disgusting, or an abomination. A proud heart, or a heart that is lifted up, is disgusting to the Lord. Those are pretty strong words, but they are true. Does God show mercy to those who have allowed their hearts to be lifted up? He will if they humble themselves and repent of their pride. But few things are as detestable to the Lord as a proud heart that refuses to humble himself. The person that lifts up his heart above God will ultimately be cast down, just as Lucifer was cast down. How do we resist aligning ourselves with kingdom of darkness and place ourselves in a position to be blessed with grace? Humble ourselves and submit all our ways to the Lord God.

Prayer: Lord, throughout Your word, You tell me that You resist the proud and give grace to the humble – that pride comes before destruction and an arrogant spirit before a fall. I don’t want to live a life that is resisted by you and submitted to the ways of Satan. I want to live a life that is humbly submitted to You and able to resist the ways and temptations of Satan. Therefore I humble myself before you in worship as I lift You up above all things. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.