The words of Ezekiel 28 were directed to the prince and king of Tyrus, but as you read the chapter, it becomes obvious that the one being described is none other than the devil himself. He was perfect in his ways from the day that God created him (v. 14) and was the anointed cherub that covered the very glory of God (v. 15). But iniquity was found in him. Of his own free will, he chose to exalt himself.
In Isaiah 14:13-14, Lucifer utters 5 I wills…
- I will ascend into heaven
- I will exalt my throne
- I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation
- I will ascend above the heights of the clouds
- I will be like the most High
- I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God
- I will destroy three, O covering cherub
- I will cast thee to the ground
- I will lay thee before kings
- I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee
Now take a look at Ezekiel 28:17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground.
Why was Satan's heart lifted up? Because of his beauty and because of his wisdom. And he brought the judgment of God upon himself (some of which remains to be fulfilled, Revelation 20:10). But more than that, what happened to his wisdom? It became corrupt!
PRIDE CORRUPTS WISDOM. PRIDE SPOILS BEAUTY.
Young man, young lady, you need to do your best in school (Ecclesiastes 9:10; Colossians 3:23-24) and study hard, and learn all you can, and make the best grades you can, and get the best education you can. But don't let it get to your head. Or all your wisdom will be corrupt in the sight of God. Isaiah 47:10…Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me.
Young man, young lady, you ought to take care of the body God gave you. Eat right, exercise, bathe, all that good stuff. But remember that your body is a disposable container, and remember that godliness has promise both of the life that now is, and of that which is to come (1 Timothy 4:8).
All the devil's wisdom and all his beauty were given to him by the God that created him. He had nothing to do with it. There was no reason for him to exalt himself. He should've simply joined all the angels in singing praise to Almighty God. And it's the same way with us. We just need to thank God for whatever He's given us and use it all for His honor and glory. May we not corrupt what God has given us with our own rotten and devilish pride.
Some verses that I keep in my mind constantly on this topic: This is a verse my Dad taught me early in life - Proverbs 16:18 - "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." So for many years, very often when I found myself in trouble because of my sin, I've remembered - pride goes before a fall. And then here is a verse that I learned much later - James 4:6 - "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." What a great promise to those who are humble, and a great warning to those who walk in pride. Also 1 Peter 5:5,6 - "Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility; for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time." And then these are great!! - Here's a couple verses that really caught my attention recently when I memorized Romans 12, vv. 3, 14, 15, 16 - For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits." Now those are some serious and important commands and truths for life. When humility is accompanied with love, it can have a profound affect, because it allows God to work in us and through us because of our Obedience in Humility! :)
ReplyDelete