Isaiah 14: 12-15 NKJV
How proud could he be? Here was Lucifer, one of God's creations, having thoughts that it was he who would ultimately surpass God in glory! This lucifer, known to many as satan, was exalted above the angels, and it went to his head. Well, we all know the rest of that story. Satan is ultimately cast out of heaven, along with those who followed him. So, obviously lucifer was able to get a good number of Gods angels to follow his deception. What would drive this creation of our Lord to feel that he was above his creator? I believe, ultimately, that it was pride that drove his actions. Yes, satan felt that he was independent of God and thus so was able to succeed on his own accord, but this of course was a false assumption on his part. For what creation is greater than He who created him? We call it arrogance, pride or just being stiff necked. Whatever you call it, it's simply our own pride, and it always goes contrary to God. Can we therefore tell God, who created us, that we can make it on our own? Lucifer thought so, and we see where that got him. What was lucifers motivation? It is only through scripture that we can know the answer to this question. However, I believe that lucifer truly felt that he was independent of his creator. He could make not only make it on his own, but become greater than God!
Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. "The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men-extortioners, unjust, aldulterers, or even as this tax collector. 'I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' "I tell you, this man went down to his house justifed rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Luke 18: 9-14 NKJV
How many of us can see that correlation between Lucifer and this Pharisee in Luke 18? Well, the one thing that stands out is that each one of these of Gods creation BOTH believed that he was indeed greater! Now, look at Jesus' response to the pride of this Pharisee, "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himslef will be exalted." I find it no coincidence that Jesus chose a Pharisee and a tax collector to illustrate this parable. For these were a few of the most disliked people among the people. The tax collectors for being the agents of the Romans, often profiting from taxes taken from their own people. The Pharisees for preaching righteousness to the people, yet not following their own teachings. I find the key verse in Luke 18:9, is the one to which Jesus adresses His parable. It is here we learn to who Jesus gave this message, "Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others." Did not Lucifer trust in himself? This Pharisee? I find it no coincidence that our Lord carries a disdain for those trust in themselves above Him. For what creation is greater than his own creator? Once we fall into the belief that, above all, we can make it on our own accord, we go against our Lord. For what are we without God? Would we have anything without Him? Would we be here without Him? No, for it is with the greatest of pride that one will proclaim that it is he himself who determines his own destiny!
~Scott~
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