Saturday, January 15, 2011

Pride Goes Before Destruction

What was the sin of Lucifer before he was cast out of heaven and before he was thrown down to earth to become Satan? Was it not the sin of pride which caused him to rebel against God and the heavenly hosts (angels)?

Lucifer was the highest, the most intelligent and the most beautiful of God's creation. He was almost like God but was never God.

In his worship like admiration of himself and all his superlative attributes, self pride caused him to aspire to become God. He was able to win over his side one third of the heavenly hosts and they rebelled against God and the remaining heavenly hosts.

The faithful heavenly hosts of God, led by a lowly archangel by the name of Michael, defeated Lucifer and his rebellious angels who became demons. (Lucifer was ranked as the highest Seraphim. Seraphims and Cherubims are of the highest rank- the first order in the hierarchy of angels while angels and archangels are on the third and lowest rank).

The worst enemy of man is pride. As the saying goes, "pride goes before destruction." Pride originates from a very high estimation of one's self. A proud man does not want to depend on God but wants to stand on his own two feet alone. In fact, he rebels against God's authority over him and does not want anybody to reprove him when he does something wrong. The poetic line from the poem "Invictus" characterized him most. "I am the captain of my ship, I am the master of my soul."

This is in direct contrast to God's admonition to man when He declared, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)


James 4:6b says, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." God loves those who are of a humble heart but abhors those who are proud in their minds. In fact, God gave these three attributes as His most admired ones, and humility was at the top of the list. Isaiah 66:2b says, "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word."

You want to please God? Humble yourself before Him and acknowledge His sovereignty over your life. Remember, pride goes before destruction.


Posted by Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines

6 comments:

kimmy said...

how right you are, and we, in our own little ways display pride in our everyday lives. refusing to admit our mistakes, refusing to admit that we need help and i guess taking all the glory and not acknowledging that it was actually the LORD working on us that give us our victory.. so sad..

Arvin U. de la Peña said...

nice info about lucifer..minsan mahirap talaga ibaba ang ating pride.....ang isang tao kapag may ipinagyayabang ay magyayabang talaga..kung wala naman tatahimik..

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Hi Kimmy,
You are so right. People will do everything to look good in the eyes of others. People try hard to be included in the Guinness Book of World Records for self glory forgetting that it is the Lord who gives him strength. Thanks for your visit and comments. God bless you all always.

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Hi Arvin,
The Lord dislikes people who are proud since they do not acknowledge His sovereignty over them. "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6b). Thanks for your visit and comments. God bless you always.

Unknown said...

I was watching the movie the clash of the titans which was about zeus at mga god noong araw. Naisip ko bakit sa bawat good may katapat ring evil.

Will come back tomorrow Sir Mel will read this post again. Thanks

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Hi Shy,
Ganun talaga friend. We cannot appreciate goodness if there is no evil. We cannot appreciate light if there is no darkness. And we cannot appreciate warmth and love if there are no coldness and hatred. That is the principle of dualism in nature. Thanks for your visit and comments my friend. God bless you all always.


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