The Snare Of Pride

Tuesday, June 9

Ezekiel 28:12-14 (NKJV)

““Son of man, take up a lamentation for the king of Tyre, and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “You were the seal of perfection, Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The sardius, topaz, and diamond, Beryl, onyx, and jasper, Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes Was prepared for you on the day you were created.“You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones.”

Devotion

Angels were created to carry out God’s divine will, not walk in their own. Lucifer was an anointed cherub, appointed by God to guard sacred places and to magnify God’s holiness. God set him to walk on the mountain of the holiness of God.

He was wonderfully created, ‘sealed in perfection,’ the Bible says, ‘full of wisdom’ and perfectly beautiful. Covered with precious stones, he sparkled in the sunlight. And as he walked, wonderful sounds arose from his timbrels and pipes, which God prepared for him on the day he was created.

But here’s the tragic part—verse 12 of this passage starts with, ‘Take up a lamentation’ (grief, mourning, sorrow). Notice how many times the prophet refers to Lucifer in the past tense. ‘You were the seal of perfection,’ ‘every precious stone was your covering,’ ‘the workmanship of your timbrels and pipes was prepared for you.’

Something happened. Lucifer (which we’ll now refer to as Satan) fell from glory. The intent that God perfectly made him for, this wonderful purpose God wanted him to fulfill, ended. Satan got caught up in the glory with which God made him, and he began to worship himself, as if all this perfection, all the wisdom, and all this beauty emanated from him. It did not. It came from the God who created him. Satan made the lethal mistake of worshipping ‘the creation more than the Creator.’

There is a major lesson to be learned. Psalm 100:3 puts it this way: “Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.” We need to keep that truth hidden inside our hearts so we don’t fall like Satan did.

Zephaniah 3:11,12 says, “And you shall no longer be haughty in My holy mountain. I will leave in your midst a meek and humble people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord.”

Pride and haughtiness will blind the heart of man to the glory of God. The devil doesn’t want us to see His glory, for if we do, we’ll be transformed; we’ll become just like Him, walking in His character, bearing the fruit of the Spirit, and all to His glory.

As we strive to acknowledge every good thing that is in us in Christ, the fellowship of our faith will become effective, and the very purpose God has created us for will be accomplished. And God will be glorified in it all!

Today's Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

You are the Source of my life. I acknowledge that every good thing in me comes from You. Your love, the gifts, talents, and opportunities You have placed in me—I owe it all to You. I denounce and repent of every thought, act, and motive that speaks of self-glory or self-achievement. Purify my heart, that I may walk humbly before You. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Apply It Today

Take a minute to reflect on any area in your life, such as work, opportunities, abilities, giftings, etc., where you have a tendency to take the credit. These are areas where the snare of pride can get in. Repent of them and guard this truth deep inside your heart: “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, that God has before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

Resources

• Pride is subtle, but its impact is powerful. Watch Defeating The King Of Pride and discover how to recognize it and walk in humility that leads to growth and freedom.

• Forward Conference is almost here! Students and young people, don’t miss your chance to be part of a powerful, life-changing experience. Get your tickets today! Register here.