SATURDAY, JANUARY 7
EZEKIEL 28:11-18
1 TIMOTHY 3:6

"… lifted up with pride
he fall into the condemnation of the devil."

THE SIN OF PRIDE

In Ezekiel 28:11-18, Satan is seen instigating the earthly ruler of Tyrus. Before the fall, Lucifer was an anointed cherub and was set upon the holy mountains of God. He was covered with precious stones. He glittered and shined for all to see. There was a celebration in the day of his creation. He was perfect… until the sin of pride set in.

The riches of Tyrus caused the king to sin. His heart was likened to Lucifer’s. The archangel was lifted up because of his beauty. He was corrupted in his wisdom because of his splendour. The pride of life is the seed of sin and apostasy. This then grew into rebellion and bore fruits of sinfulness. The consequence of pride is blasphemy against God and His Word. A proud man treats the authority of God with contempt. He resorts to violence to get his own ways. He sows false teaching and promotes superstition and idolatry. His doctrine gears towards immorality and riotous living.

This is the result of pride. It destroys individual lives, families, churches and nations. It was Satan’s sin that caused his fall to earth. By this sin, he continues to deceive man as he still desires the throne of God. He knows he cannot unseat God, but his pride blinds him to continue his desire to be "like the most High" (Isa 14:14).

Christians, let not pride cause us to stumble and to forfeit God’s plan for our lives as His witnesses. Let us ask for the grace of God that we may be meek and humble. Let us not desire vain glory for it will lead us away from Christ. Let us always remind ourselves that we are but sinners saved by His grace. We have nothing of our own and we must not desire things for our sakes but for His glory alone.

THOUGHT: Am I committing the sin of pride?
PRAYER: "He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it. Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble" (Ps 10:11-12).