Where did all of our problems begin? We could go back to the garden of Eden where Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate the forbidden fruit. Yes, we could say that DISOBEDIENCE is where all of our problems began. But, let’s go back further than that, to before the fruit was eaten and a deceptive serpent lied to Eve about the truth of God’s words. Yes, we could say that a LIE is where all of our problems began. But, let’s go back even further than that, to a time before God created the world and there was a perfect Heaven… where one angel thought he deserved greater recognition… where one angel didn’t like the fact that God was the constant focus… where one angel became filled with PRIDE and led a Heavenly revolt against the One who created him. Yes, PRIDE is where all of our problems began.
Lucifer’s Pride disturbed the splendor and perfection of Heaven. God could not let Heaven’s splendor be spoiled and disturbed. Pride had to be banished along with the root of that pride that was in Lucifer’s heart.
Lucifer’s Pride… God knows exactly what it looks like… He knows exactly what would happen again in Heaven if he let one ounce of it enter through the Pearly Gates. Heaven is not a place of competition. There will be no more Heavenly battles… God will see to it.
Because God loves us and wants us to be with Him in Heaven, He will do all He can to extract the smallest amount of Lucifer’s Pride that is in us. We may not even realize how deadly our pride can be but God knows all too well the division and strife that pride can create within a totally peaceful and perfect environment. I’ve seen Lucifer’s Pride in government, in the business world, in sporting events, in Hollywood and even in the church, but what bothers me the most is when I see it in the mirror. “Lord, extract pride from my life. Do your surgery on me. Remove it completely from my heart!”
1 Peter 5:6 (NAS)
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time.
