PRIDE GOETH BEFORE THE DESTRUCTION … OF SATAN. Ezekiel 28:12-19.

Every day you see it: someone proud fails. It happens in “karma” videos, sports, academics, celebrity gossip, politics, and movie plots. It’s happened to all of us—your confidence becomes cockiness and you fail. Maybe you stare in the mirror telling yourself how great you look, and suddenly acne breaks out like a rash of boils. Or you feel proud of your acting chops and then forget your lines.

It happened to your enemy first. The devil was one of the highest-ranking angels, with a position that placed him next to God’s throne. He had wisdom and beauty like no other. He was covered in jewels. He was the master of music, art, and all things beautiful (and he still uses those gifts to deceive us). But he began admiring himself, proud of his wisdom and beauty, and he wanted more. He wanted to be God and sit on God’s throne. And God cast him out of heaven, disgracing him, and making him an object of horror.

His revenge? To hurt God by hurting those God loves—including the Jews (God’s chosen people), innocent children and the unborn, and everyone else. Make no mistake: he has already plotted your destruction.

“You were sealed with perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, God’s Garden. You wore a Golden robe covered in jewels. You were a high-ranking angel, anointed by God, walking among the fiery stones beside His throne. You were blameless until wickedness was found in you. You became filled with violence, so God expelled you from his throne, banishing you. It all began when your heart became proud because of your beauty; to gain more glory, you corrupted your wisdom. So God cast you to earth, making you a spectacle and an object of horror. He filled your insides with a fire that will consume you, reducing your glory to ashes. One day you will forever cease to be.” Ezekiel 28:12-19 (paraphrased).

No wonder God is opposed to the proud! PRACTICE AND PRAY FOR HUMILITY.

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