Is it wrong to be proud?

 It might surprise people today to know that pride comes first in the longstanding list of seven deadly sins. In Scripture, “a proud look” or “haughty eyes” also tops the list of seven things God hates (Proverbs 6:16-17). Yet most people agree that there is a type of pride that is good.

It seems good, for example, to take pride in your work or in some achievement of excellence. We feel right about encouraging our children to be proud of themselves — not in an egotistical sense, but in a way that promotes healthy self-respect.

If pride is a feeling of satisfaction at a job well done or a healthy sense of worth as one made in God’s image, it’s not necessarily a bad quality.

The ugly side 

But let’s be honest, there’s an uglier side to pride that is all too obvious. Sometimes it comes in “the form of inordinate self-congratulations” or a “blend of narcissism and conceit that we detest in others and sometimes tenderly protect in ourselves” (C. Plantinga).

When pride involves a blend of self-absorption with an overestimation of one’s ability or worth, it’s a destructive force that is anti-community and, more importantly, anti-God. “What sin makes God seem more irrelevant? God wants to fill us with his Holy Spirit, but when we are proud we are already full of ourselves. There’s no room for God” (Plantinga).

Augustine depicted pride as the great political enemy in the city of God. Scripture teaches that, “God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble” (I Peter 5:6 ).  “According to traditional Christian wisdom, a main problem with pride is that it recognizes neither sin nor grace; in fact, pride hammers them flat and discards them” (Plantinga). This is why a proud heart is opposed by God.

Ego-centered culture

For a long time there was widespread agreement in our culture about the evils of sinful pride. But attitudes toward pride have shifted significantly. “What has changed is that, in much of contemporary American culture, aggressive self-regard is no longer viewed with alarm. Instead, people praise and promote it.” Are we now living in an ego-centered culture in which “human life degenerates into the clamor of competing autobiographies?” In such a culture, the self exists to be explored, indulged and expressed but not disciplined or restrained” (Plantinga).

For a cultural gut-check, enter American Idol: the self-esteem movement on steroids. It stretches credulity to believe that all of those who audition really believe they can sing well. Is this what we wanted to accomplish by making self-esteem the primary goal of education? This show repeatedly features people with harmful levels of self-delusion. Perhaps this is one contributing factor to the pervasive struggle with depression in our culture. Our expectations are too high because our egos are too inflated. What a set-up for disappointment!

Original sin

The original sin was pride. It was the sin that occasioned the fall of Satan himself. We learn this in a New Testament list of qualifications for church leaders. The leader “…must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil (I Timothy 3:6, NIV). Conceit is defined in another scriptural passage warning us, “Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves” (Romans 12:3, NLT). Another translation warns not to “think more highly of yourself than you ought.” This is at the heart of sinful pride.

False humility

While exposing pride, we must not encourage false humility. Some people are so humble they’re proud of it. Pre-tending to be humble isn’t the same as actually being humble. Pretentious humility is self-refuting. Those who use humility to seek out praise are perhaps the most proud. Discerning people will see through this behavior.

Humility doesn’t require one to continually engage in self-deprecation. We must learn to think soberly about ourselves. This often necessitates the help of others when we miss the mark. True self-perception is slippery territory but it’s possible to be both humble and aware of one’s gifts. Admitting our sins, faults and limitations fosters stronger humility. Being humble involves showing deference to others in a courteous and respectful manner. It’s the opposite of precocious arrogance, boasting and self-absorption.

What did Jesus teach?

Jesus both taught and demonstrated humility as God’s way for us (See: Luke 22:24-30; John 13:1-17; Philippians 2:3-10). Jesus pronounced blessing on the poor in spirit, not the proud in spirit (Matthew 5:3). Humility, according to Jesus, is the mark of true greatness. “At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:1-4). “And whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted. (Matthew 23:12 NAS)

Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?’” (Matthew 16:24-26).

Let’s learn from Jesus Christ the joy and freedom that comes with humility and self-denial. Those who take the path of self-denial in an age of self-expression, self-worth and self-indulgence, will be set free! A proud heart is an imprisoned heart. A humble heart that looks to God is free and full of grace.

Steve Cornell

 

The history of evil

 

How should we understand the reality of evil in the world? Why is evil a part of human history on every part of the globe; in every human heart? What accounts for this ugly part of our story?

The biblical account tells the story of evil with a convergence of characters (see: Genesis 3:1-6). In the first temptation on record, we discover that it began with a competing truth claim. A strange being  approached Eve and offered her an alternative view of reality. She had only known one way of seeing things – God’s way. But this character (whom we now know as Satan or the evil one) offered a different way of looking at life. He offered a different version of God and of what happens when one abandons God’s way for life. But the offer was made in an alluring context of self-interest. It was not offered in a detached philosophical way. It was a twisted version of reality to lure her to a different way to live – a way centered in self-absorption.

It started with a subtle and twisted suggestion that God is overly restrictive in His demands. It moved to a blatant denial of the Divinely stated consequences of disobeying God’s will. Thus was introduced the Suspicion of Eden — the notion that the good life is outside of the will of God, not within it. No philosophical detachment in this offer.

In the predictable pattern of evil, Eve saw what was forbidden, desired it, took it and gave it (Genesis 3:6). The generational consequences have been disastrous! (see: Genesis 3-4; Romans 5:12ff.).

Seven consequences emerge — each affecting a major area of human existence and providing a background to the primary occupational majors at the Universities. 

These consequences correspond directly with the human story from our beginning to this day. They included the following: 

1. Physiological: death, decay, sickness and suffering (Gen. 3:17-19; Rom. 5:12; 8:19-22)
2. Psychological: shame, guilt, fear (Gen. 3:7).
3. Sociological: blame-shifting, alienation, separation (Gen. 3:8, 12-13; Isa. 53:6). 
4. Ecological: ground is cursed, thorns and thistles (Gen. 3:17-19).
5. Spiritual: hiding from God, enmity: seed of woman and seed of Serpent (Gen. 3:8, 15, 4:1-15; I Jn 3:12; Isa. 59:1-2).
6. Epistemological: distorted thinking, spiritual blindness (II Cor. 4:3-6; Rom. 1:28) Noetic affects.
7. Criminal: murder! (fratricidal) - Genesis 4 Cain kills Abel.

Colleges offer majors related to each of the seven areas above (e.g. doctors, psychologists, sociologists, environmentalists, ministers, philosophers, law enforcement).

Extended Results in Genesis 4

Corresponding with reality on every corner of the globe throughout all of human history, the results observed in the first offspring of Adam and Eve are tragic universal expressions of human existence: rebellion, anger, envy, hatred, bitterness, lying and murder. One can only imagine the grief that filled Eve’s heart at the death of her second-born son (Abel) at the hands of her first-born son (Cain). It is without irony that Cain is identified as a member of Satan’s family (I John 3:11-13cf. John 8:44).

Think about it

Because we were made in the image and likeness of God, we see benevolent acts of goodness and heroism among humans. Because we are fallen, we observe (and participate in) malevolent acts and vast degrees of evil and violence on earth.

“According to Genesis 3, sin appeared very early in the history of our race. In this chapter our first parents try to be ‘like God, knowing good and evil,’ and succeed only in alienating themselves from God and from each other. They choose to believe the tempter rather than their Maker and turn their garden into a bramble patch.  The good and fruitful earth becomes their foe (Genesis 3:17-18; cf. 4:11-14), and their own sin then rises in a terrible crescendo.  Adam and Eve’s pride and disbelief trigger revolt, scapegoating, and flight from God (Gen. 3:4-5, 10, 12-13). Their first child ups the ante: Cain resents and kills his brother, Abel, launching the history of envy that leads to murder. Like his parents and the rest of the race, Cain refuses to face his sin (‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’) and is exiled by God to a place ‘east of Eden.’ In a phrase that suggests the restlessness of all who are alienated from God, Cain becomes ‘a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth’” (Cornelius Plantinga Jr., Not The Way It’s Supposed to Be).

Steve Cornell

 

Guard your mind

Pay close attention when a New Testament author repeatedly uses the same word to address the same subject in the same book. The Apostle Paul does this in making a connection between the mind (νοηματα) and spiritual conflict.

II Corinthians 10:4-5

“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought (νοημα) to make it obedient to Christ.”

Three appearances of the word for mind in II Corinthians specifically associate it with the activity of Satan. 

II Corinthians 2:11

“In order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes (νοηματα) (thinking).”

II Corinthians 4:3-4

“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds (νοηματα) of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel…”  (with II Corinthians 3:14-16)

II Corinthians 11:3

“But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds (νοηματα) may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” 

Transformation of the mind

The battle is for the mind – our way of thinking or perspective. But while Satan targets the mind, God by His Spirit renews the mind as He restores us to His image. Consider the emphasis on transformation through a renewed mind. 

• Romans 12:2a “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (νοος).”
• Ephesians 2:23 “You were taught, …..to be made new in the attitude of your minds (νοος).”
• Romans 13:14 “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about (προνοιαν) how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” Πρόνοιαν (pronoian) – a provisionary way of thinking. NLT: “don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.”

Connecting the heart with the mind

“The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45, NIV).

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life” (Proverbs 4:23, NLT).

Our minds (ways of thinking, perspectives) either reinforce or challenge the things stored in our hearts. To change behaviors, attitudes and emotions, we must change ways of thinking—perspectives, or construls. Allow God to transform you by changing the way you think. 

“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires” (Hebrews 4:12). 

Steve Cornell

 

The original creation and subsequent formation

 

In his book, The Invisible War, Donald Grey Barnhouse described the “vast difference between the original creation of the heavens and the earth, and the subsequent formation, fashioning and restoration of that same earth which had been turned into chaos.”

“In a brilliant manner, the author has stretched out the panorama of time and focused upon it the illuminating light of Eternity.” (from the preface)

The Great Interval:

On the one side of the abyss stands the phrase, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” 

We come to the other side and read the second verse as it is found in the King James Version: “And the earth was without form and void, and darkness covered the face of the deep.” The revisers in both the English and American revisions, not satisfied with the terms “without form and void,” have given us the better translation, “waste and void,” though the RSV has gone back to the King James rendering. Still another translator interprets the Hebrew as “a wreck and a ruin.” In French there is a common expression which translates our idea of topsy-turvy: it is tohu-bohu — an expression transliterated from the Hebrew of this second verse of Genesis. These are the words which various translators have rendered “without form,” “void,” “waste,” “desolate,” “empty,” “wreck,” “ruin.”

Just here the importance of the comparative method of Bible study is seen. In Isaiah 45:18, we read that God did not create the world as it is found in the second verse of Genesis: “For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not tohu . . .” Here is the same Hebrew word as in the second verse of the Bible. It is a formal statement: God did not create the earth as it is portrayed in the description that has commonly been called chaos. The great French Catholic translator, Abbe Crampon, boldly renders it thus: “He hath established it Himself and did not make it as a chaos [Qui l'a fondee Luimeme et qui n'en a pas fait un chaos].” It is noteworthy that the Revised Standard Version has adopted this reading. “He did not create it a chaos.”

This categorical statement is sufficient to prove beyond any shadow of doubt that the first and second verses are separated by an interval. We might read the two verses from Genesis and the one from Isaiah as follows: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth — though God most certainly did not create it that way — became a wreck and a ruin, and darkness covered the face of the deep.”

That we have every right to translate the verb by the continuing form “became” is amply demonstrated by the fact that this precise form is thus translated in other parts of the Old Testament, as for example, “Lot’s wife looked back and she became a pillar of salt” (Genesis 19:26).

So far, this is very satisfying to the heart. If a perfect God should create a very imperfect world, chaotic, waste and desolate, a wreck and a ruin, it would be a violation of one of the great spiritual principles, stated by the Holy Spirit Himself: A fountain cannot send forth sweet water and bitter (James 3:11). And if “a good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things” (Matthew 12:35), how much more must a good and perfect God bring forth a good and perfect creation? Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy saw this dilemma and sought to resolve it by saying that God had created everything perfect, and that, therefore, everything is perfect, and that any impression to the contrary is but an error of mortal mind. What she failed to realize was that the invisible war had broken out against the background of a perfect creation, and that God, for His own purposes, which we shall study in detail, put forth His Word to turn that perfect creation into a wreck and a ruin. So our hearts rest quietly in the truth set forth by the Psalmist, “As for God, his way is perfect . . .” (Psalm 18:30).

One objection has been imagined which we will do well to meet and set aside at once. It is argued that the passage in the Ten Commandments concerning the seventh day contradicts what we have been saying. We read the following: “For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day” (Exodus 20:11). The answer is that there is a vast difference between the original creation of the heavens and the earth, and the subsequent formation, fashioning and restoration of that same earth which had been turned into chaos.

The careful reader of the first chapter of Genesis will note that the word create is found in the first verse and appears no more in the account until the introduction of life, in the fifth and sixth days of the restoration. God was not seeking mere literary effect when He used the several verbs in Isaiah, “Thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not a chaos, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord; and there is none else” (Isaiah 45:18).

To create, as the great linguist Rabbi Naskman put it, is “to produce out of nothing.” It is to call into being some material thing without the aid of any existing material. It is the materialization of a thought of God. The discoveries of the atomic age, centering in the recently acquired knowledge that mass and energy are the same thing in different form, give powerful significance to the Bible teaching that the material universe is the tangible expression of the Word of God going forth in the command of His desire. “By the word of the Lord were the heavens made: and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth … he spake and it was . . .” (Psalm 33:6, 9).

We are not told in Scripture how God created the heavens and the earth. We do not know whether it happened in an instant, as He most surely could have caused it to appear had He thus desired; or whether the process of creation covered a period of long ages. God could have done it any way He liked. He has revealed only the quantity of truth that seemed best to Him for His purpose. There is not a line in the Bible which is placed there for mere rhetorical effect, or for the gratification of curiosity. To satisfy the carnal mind was not one of God’s purposes; of that we may be sure. What we have in the Book is all relevant to His main purpose. He is giving us the story of the eternal plan, with special

That something tremendous and terrible happened to the first, perfect creation is certain. We know that later the earth which had become waste and empty was reformed and refashioned in the six days and peopled by the newly created beings, Adam and his wife; and that this renewed and restored earth, of which it is stated six times that God saw that it was good (1:4, 10, 12, 18,21,25) and once that it was very good (1:31), was later cursed on account of man’s sin. We have every right to argue from analogy that the original creation, long before Adam’s remade world was cursed because of earlier sin, fell into chaos because of the righteous judgment of God upon some outbreak of rebellion. We believe that there is sufficient light in the Word of God to give us more than a few details. Somewhere back before the chaos of the second verse of Genesis there was a great tragedy and a terrible catastrophe.

It should be pointed out, perhaps, that the knowledge of this explanation of the Scripture is nothing new. It is well over a hundred years since Dr. Thomas Chalmers of Scotland observed that there must be a considerable interval of time between the first two verses of Genesis. And we read in the notes of Crampon, who is perhaps the greatest emphasis on man’s complete ruin in sin, and His own perfect remedy in Christ.

The other verbs which are used to describe the work of the six days, such as made, divide, and set, are used elsewhere of work done with existing materials, as when a woman prepares a meal or a man builds a boat. The original creation was before the forming and fashioning.

That something tremendous and terrible happened to the first, perfect creation is certain. We know that later the earth which had become waste and empty was reformed and refashioned in the six days and peopled by the newly created beings, Adam and his wife; and that this renewed and restored earth, of which it is stated six times that God saw that it was good (1:4, 10, 12, 18,21,25) and once that it was very good (1:31), was later cursed on account of man’s sin. We have every right to argue from analogy that the original creation, long before Adam’s remade world was cursed because of earlier sin, fell into chaos because of the righteous judgment of God upon some outbreak of rebellion. We believe that there is sufficient light in the Word of God to give us more than a few details. Somewhere back before the chaos of the second verse of Genesis there was a great tragedy and a terrible catastrophe.

It should be pointed out, perhaps, that the knowledge of this explanation of the Scripture is nothing new. It is well over a hundred years since Dr. Thomas Chalmers of Scotland observed that there must be a considerable interval of time between the first two verses of Genesis. And we read in the notes of Crampon, who is perhaps the greatest Biblical scholar produced by the Roman Church in modern times and who works in the shadow of all the church fathers, the following: “Verse two refers to the indefinite interval of time which separates the primordial creation from the organization of the terrestrial globe as the author is about to describe it. This interval gives every latitude for explaining the transformations which matter has undergone according to the diverse scientific hypotheses.” If the Church had followed these great students, Protestant and Catholic, there would not have been so great a furor concerning the modern theories of science, and it would have been much easier to winnow the wheat of truth from the theories and to throw out the chaff of speculative hypothesis.

As we have said we do not know anything of the time element involved. God may well have first created the earth over the course of millions or billions of years; or He may have done it in the flash of a second and then allowed it to go on in its perfect form for untold millions of years. We do not know. Again, after the earth was blasted in judgment and had become a wreck and a ruin, it may have remained in that state for another period of ages. We do not know. There is not a line in the Bible on that subject.

All we know is that there are two unknown periods to be accounted for — 2x to express it mathematically — and if some scientist wants to argue that the age of the earth is 2x to the nth degree, it makes no difference whatsoever to the child of true faith. We know that our God spoke the original word of creation, and materialized the original thought of the divine idea which became the heavens and the earth. We know that it was the hand of a holy God which struck the earth into ruin because of a great outbreak of rebellion, and we know that it was the hand of our Lord which moved, all in His own time, to bring the earth out of that chaos. This was the same hand that was later pierced with nails for the salvation of the sinner. We know, too, that it was the voice of our God which spoke the great fiat, “Let there be light . . .” We know that that same voice is calling unto hearts to return to Him for rest, and that that same light is ready to shine into darkened hearts to  reveal the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (II Corinthians 4:6). We know, also, that the other verbs in the account of earth’s history — God made, God formed, God fashioned, God said — are all within the power of the omnipotent God who said, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways … For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8,9)” (Donald Barnhouse).

In the rest of the book, Barnhouse “explored a theme rarely touched upon by students of the Bible: the great conflict which exists in the spirit realm. Although almost entirely unrecognized by mankind, this warfare affects, in one way or another, the life of every person on earth and especially the life of the child of God.” (From the Preface).

To read the entire book, see here.

 

Looking for the Devil in the wrong places

 

“Men don’t believe in a devil now, As their fathers used to do; They reject one creed because it’s old For another because it’s new. If the devil is voted not to be, Is the verdict, therefore, true? Someone is surely doing the work The devil was thought to do. They may say the devil has never lived, They may say the devil is gone; But simple people would like to know Who carries the business on?” (G. Campbell Morgan)

 Giving the Devil his due

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• Jesus taught his followers to pray (perhaps daily): “deliver us from the Evil one” (Matthew 6:13)
• Jesus specifically prayed for His followers that the Father would “keep them from the evil one” (John 17:15).
• The apostle Paul warned believers to: “put on the whole armor of God” Why? So that they could, “…take their stand against the devils schemes” (Ephesians 6:11).
• In Ephesians 6, believers were instructed to: “…take up the shield of faith” Why? So that they could, “…extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”

• What did the apostle Peter teach? “Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith.” ( I Peter 5:8,9, NLT). He looks for unsuspecting victims. Be sober! Don’t drop your guard! Don’t under estimate the enemy!

Three narratives:

To help us, we need an in-depth evaluation of the character and strategy of Satan. This requires a close look at the only three narratives that chronicle the voice of the devil speaking directly to someone else.

Those who study these three explicit accounts of Satanic attack will conclude that they have been looking for the devil in the wrong places.

1. Genesis 3-4 – Satan slandered God to man
2. Job 1-2 -  Satan slandered man to God
3. Matthew 3-4 – Satan attacked the God-man 

Before exploring these narratives, please understand that this one whom Scripture refers to as the Devil, Satan or the Evil one, is a highly intelligent, immensely powerful and utterly unscrupulous being. He is both the enemy of God and of everyone who belongs to the Lord. We cannot afford to underestimate him and we must not be ignorant of his schemes. 

We do not need to fear Satan, for only God is worthy of fear and it is the fear of God that demotes all other fears. We are not helpless victims without power or resource against the Devil—for “greater is He who is in the believer than the one who is in the world” (I John 4:3)

Ultimate victory is ours in Christ—but this does not guarantee that we will win each battle against Satan in this life. To effectively take our stand against him—or as the apostle said, “Resist him standing firm in faith,” we need the revelation God has provided to expose the evil one. 

The origin and fall of Satan

To provide the right foundation, it is helpful to consider the origin and fall of Satan.

Satan’s origin:

In discussing the origin of Satan, step back and recognize that a Biblical view of reality involves three orders of beings operating in the world in continual functional contact:

1. Deity: Father Son and Holy Spirit
2. Angels: good and fallen
3. Humans: Redeemed and unredeemed

* Satan or the Devil belongs to the order of angels (II Corinthians 11:3,13-15). 

Scripture reveals that God created many angels.

• Daniel 7:10- describes thousands upon thousands attending to the ancient of days as he is seated on His throne.
• Hebrews 12:22- details thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly.
• Revelation 5:12- “I heard the voice of many angels.” How many? Thousands upon thousands and ten thousand times ten thousand” (An innumerable company) (cf. II Kings 19:35; Matthew 26:3)

Angels were originally created to praise and serve God:

• Psalm 148:2,5 – Praise him all his angels, let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created.”
• Revelation 19:10 – “I am a fellow servant” (cf. Colo.1:16).

Angels were divided into ranks of authority and power

• Jude 9- Michael the arch angel
• Genesis 3:24;Isaiah 6:2-3- Seraphim and Cheribum (Exodus 25:18-25; Ezekiel 1:4-28; 10:1-22; Daniel 10:13; Ephesians 1:21; Revelation 4:6-8).

Based on Jude 9, we may assume that Satan held perhaps highest rank among the angels (thus I Peter 5:8).

Satan’s fall:

How did this mighty angel of God become the Evil One? What happened to occasion the fall of this being?

Only one explicit biblical reference to the sin that occasioned the fall of Satan:

I Timothy 3:6 – A Church elder must “not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil.”

The context is a list of qualifications for local Church leaders/elders. One thing an elder in the Church must not be is:  “a recent convert” (a neophyte – a newly planted one). Why? “lest he become conceited and fall under the same condemnation incurred by the Devil”.

Conceit: ”Typhos”- cloud/smoke, to becloud, to be puffed up with an inflated view of oneself. Conceit is a nurtured focus on self that results in a violation of Romans 12:3 (thinking more highly of oneself than one ought). Here is original sin: conceit!

But have you ever thought of conceit as a Satanic quality? Would you think of a conceited person as being Satanic? Perhaps we’ve been looking for the devil in the wrong places! 

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Two Old Testament passages

Moving from explicit reference to implicit, there are two OT passages that scholars believe refer to the origin and fall of Satan: Ezekiel 28:11-15 & Isaiah 14:12-14

Background:

Both of these passages refer to wicked earthly kings but many OT scholars believe that there is a double reference involved which goes behind the evil of the earthly kings to the evil one who inspires their wickedness, (cf. Dan. 11:35 – Antiochus Epiphanes, Lk. 4:4-5).

There is clearly a sense in which all the evil kings and lords of humanity belong to an extended anti-messianic line and prefigure the ultimate human representative of Satan—the anti-Christ himself.—Who will…oppose and exalt himself above every so-called God or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God” (II Thess. 2:4). (cf. also Matt. 16-Get behind me Satan)

The language of these OT texts is hard to restrict to a human being.

Ezekiel 28:11-15 – Five points about Satan’s origin and Fall

In verse 1, the prophet pronounces a judgment against the ruler or leader of Tyre. In verse 11, he takes up lamentation against the King of Tyre and the change of content and language in verses 11-15 could not be restricted to a mere human ruler.

1. Ez. 28:12  He was the model of perfection
2. Ez. 28:13a   He had a place in the garden (of prominence and glory)
3. Ez. 28:13b   The day of his creation
4. Ez. 28:14     He was the anointed Cherub—one with close access to God. The holy mountain—a governing position of authority
5. Ez. 28:15     His blameless character and transgression.

Isaiah 14:12-14 - Five “I will” statements associated with Satan’s fall

The prophet goes behind the King of Babylon to the ultimate source of pomp and pride — the one Jesus called “the ruler of this world” –Satan himself (see: John 12:31;14:30 (Dan. 10:13;Ephesians 6:12; I John 5:19).

1. I will ascend to heaven
2. I will raise my throne above the stars of God
3. I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain
4. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds
5. I will make myself like the Most High (Matt. 4- He invites Jesus to worship him)

This is the highest degree of arrogance. Remember that until this moment only one “will” existed in the universe—the will of God and Lucifer had his place (a significant place) in it, but like all other creatures, he was a servant of God’s will. Evidently, he became discontent with his place in the will of God.

Follow the pattern:

Lucifer, as the anointed Cherub, the one who held a supreme place in God’s governing rule would mediate the orders of the Creator and bring back the praise of the creatures to the creator. But, dwelling on his own beauty, his own worth, his own ability, his own power and wisdom, he actually became so blinded and delusional in his conceit that he became jealous of the supreme place of God and rebelled against God’s exclusive rule

Satan wanted to be his own God and since God had a kingdom made up of both angelic and human servants, Satan set out to establish his own kingdom of angelic and human servants. Thus Scripture speaks of angels who sinned (II Peter 2:4); angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandon their own home and the devil and his angels (Mark 25:41; Revelation 12:4,9)

And, of course, Genesis 3 reveals Satan’s success with Adam and Eve when he offers them an opportunity to (of all things) be like God…

Using allurements based in: suspicion, envy, discontentment, self-deception, pride, and an invitation to autonomy, Satan baited Adam and Eve and they followed his revolt against God’s will.

Scripture speaks categorically of the children of God and the children of the devil (I John 3:10) (cf. I John 3:12, “Cain, who belonged to the evil one”; Ephesians 2:1-3, the spirit that is at work in the sons of disobedience, Colossians 1:13—kingdom of darkness).

Question: Is it possible that we have been looking for the Devil in the wrong places? 

Why do we so rarely associate these revealed characteristics with the evil one? Scripture says that, “the whole world is under the control of the evil one” (I John 5:19). In this light, consider how common these 10 characteristics are to human history:

1. Discontentment: (Satan’s bait in Genesis 3)
2. Conceit: (I Timothy 3:6; w/ II Cor. 12:7ff.)
3. Selfish ambition: (James 3:13-16)
4. Anger: (Ephesians 4:26-27)
5. Murder: (John 8:44).
6. Lying and deception: (John 8:44; II Cor. 11:13-15)
7. Envy: (I John 3:12;Isaiah 14:12-14)
8. Willfulness and rebellion: (Gen. 4, Cain w/ I Jn. 3:12; Isa. 14:11-15)
9. Prideful arrogance: (Luke 22:31-34; I peter 5:5-9a; James 4:6-7)
10. Sexual sin: (I Corinthians 7:3-5)

Steve Cornell

 

 

The attack against your mind:

Pay close attention when the same New Testament author uses that same word to address the same subject in the same book. This is the case in II Corinthians in the connection between the mind (νοηματα) and spiritual conflict. First notice the use of the word in the context of spiritual warfare in II Corinthians 10:4-5. The next three appearances use the word with specific mention of the activity of Satan. The battle is for the mind. Satan targets the mind but God by his Spirit renews the mind.

II Corinthians 10:4-5 Spiritual Warfare described:

“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments (λογισμους) and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought (νοημα) to make it obedient to Christ.”

II Corinthians 2:11

In order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes (νοηματα).

II Corinthians 4:3-4

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds (νοηματα) of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel…”  (Cf. II Cor. 3:14-16)

II Corinthians 11:3

But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds (νοηματα) may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. (see also: Romans 12:3 with I Timothy 3:6)

Transformation of the mind:

Romans 12:2a

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (νοος).

Ephesians 2:23

You were taught, …..to be made new in the attitude of your minds (νοος).

Romans 13:14

“Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about (προνοιαν) how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” Πρόνοιαν (pronoian) – provisionary way of thinking. “make no provision for the flesh” (NASB) “don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires” (NLT)

Too often we apply these verses narrowly to sexual temptation. But the works of the flesh include other evils. Consider:

Galatians 5:19-21-

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.

8 acts of the sinful nature on this list are relationship sins!

How does one make pro-visionary thinking for hatred or jealousy or envy? What mind-set or perspective allows for these sins? To overcome sinful attitudes, actions and emotions, one must see things differently. One must “put on the Lord Jesus Christ.” How does an appropriation of Christ to one’s life offer a different way of thinking? How does it provide a gospel-based construal that counter veils the way of wrong way of thinking? All of this relates to both the assault against the mind by Satan and the renewal of the mind by God.

Connecting heart and mind:

The heart as a storage bin

“The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.”
(Luke 6:45, NIV)

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life” (Proverbs 4:23, NLT).

How things get into the heart

1. Upbringing – your 18 year factor:

2. Specific trials or ongoing challenges

3. Physical sources or limitations

4. Sinful and selfish condition of our hearts (Gen. 6:5; Jer. 17:9-10)

5. Stuff we put there: the eye is a gate to the heart. The Bible emphasizes the eye as a primary source of temptation  (Gen. 3:6;Josh. 7:20-21;II Sam. 11; Matt. 5:28; Eph. 1:18-21)

The Mind and the heart:

The mind reinforces or challenges the things stored in our hearts. To change behaviors, attitudes and emotions, we must change ways of thinking—perspective, construls. Allow God to transform you by changing the way you think. (Scripture transforms our thinking).

Steve Cornell

Thoughts:

“Human life is fundamentally a life of the mind. The posture of the mind determines so much about the character of an individual’s life” (Robert C. Roberts, Spirituality and Human Emotion, p. 26).

“Because emotions are construals, and construals always require some ‘terms,’ – to succeed in dispelling an emotion, I must somehow get myself to cease to see the situation in one set of terms, and probably must get myself to see it in different terms.” (R. Roberts)

 

 

The Doctrine of Satan

The origin and fall of Satan:

1. The origin of Satan: Satan originally belonged to the highest rank of angels. Satan was a guardian cherub, belonging to the group of cherubim angels.  The cherubim are those angels with closest access to God (Ex. 25:18-22; Ez. 28:14; 10:1-22; Rev. 4:6-8).  The cherubim had the occupation of guarding God=s holiness.  See also: Jude 9.

a. Ezekiel 28:11-15: The anointed Cherub.

In the above passage the prophet Ezekiel is pronouncing judgment on the King of Tyre. In the first ten verses of the chapter the prophet refers to him as the ruler of Tyre (28:1).  There is an obvious change of content in verses 11-19 where the prophet speaks the word of the Lord to the King of Tyre. Ezekiel was going behind the ruler of Tyre to the source of the evil, Satan.  The language of this passage could not have related to an earthly Ruler. The best understanding is that Satan is spoken of as the King of Tyre.

b. Isaiah 14:12: Lucifer – Morning Star.

The name ascribed to Satan in the above passage is Lucifer which means Star of the morning, or Shining one. Satan’s origin was one of beauty.  He was of the supreme angelic host who had access to the inner circle of God’s presence.  When we see Satan’s origin, it is hard to imagine how low he has fallen.

2. The fall of Satan: Satan was obviously created with a free will. Satan could choose to maintain his blessed position, or he could choose to rebel against God.  The Scripture teaches that Satan chose to rebel against God.

a. Ezekiel 28:15-19: Several things may be noted in the above passage about the fall of the anointed cherub.

1. Wickedness found in him: (v. 15) The wickedness was the sin of pride (v. 17a).  See also I Tim. 3:6.
2. He merchandised sin: (v. 16a) Satan was not content to rebel on his own.  He marketed his sin.
3. He was expelled from God’s presence; (v. 16b) The mount of God would seem to indicate God’s presence.  Satan was expelled from his anointed position before the throne.

Although Satan is still allowed access to God (Job 1:6-12; Zech. 3:1-2), he will one day ultimately be expelled from God’s presence (Rev. 12:7-13).

b. Isaiah 14:12-14: The cause of Satan’s fall.  The above passage is evidently a reference to Satan. Take careful note of the great claims in this passage.  The sin behind the fall of Satan was that of pride.  (see also: I Tim. 3:6 – The only explicit reference to the sin that occasioned Satan’s fall)

B. His titles and works:

1. Titles: Many things can be learned about Satan and his work through a study of his names and titles.

a. Satan: An adversary (Mt. 4:10, 12:26; John 13:27)
b. The Devil: An accuser, or slanderer: Scripture teaches that there are many demons but only one devil (Heb. 2:14; Eph. 4:27; Matt. 4:1,5).
c. The evil one: I Jn. 5:18, 19 (NIV)
d. The tempter: Matt. 4:3
e. The serpent: Gen. 3:1-14; II Cor. 11:3
f. The great dragon: Rev. 12:7-9
g. The accuser: Rev. 12:10; Zech. 3:1
h. A roaring lion: I Pet. 5:8; Job 1:7
i.  A murderer and liar: Jn. 8:44
j. Disguised as an angel of light: II Cor. 11:14
k. Apollyon: the destroyer: Rev. 9:11
l. The ruler of the Kingdom of the air: Eph. 3;2; 6:11-12
m. The god of this age: II Cor. 4:4
n. The prince of this world: Jn. 14:30

2. Works: There are only three biblical passages where Satan may be observed speaking directly to someone else (Gen. 3 – slandering God to man; Job 1,2 – slandering man to God; Mt. 4 – slandering the God-Man). To gain an in-depth understanding of the nature of Satan’s work, these passages are the most important ones. In an overview of Satan’s work the following points should be considered.

a. He promotes disobedience: Gen. 3:1-6; Eph. 2:2
b. He possesses and works through people: Jn. 8:44; 13:2, 27; Acts 5:3
c. He causes sickness, calamity, and death: Acts 10:38; Lk. 13:16; Job 1:2; Heb. 2:14; Jn. 8:44.
d. He tempts people to sin: I Chron. 21:1; Matt. 4:1-11
e. He disguises himself and his workers: II Cor. 11:14, 15; II Thess. 2:9; Col. 2:18.
f. He encourages shortcuts to victory: Matt. 4:8,9.
g. He appeals to physical lusts and pride: Jn. 14:30 w/I Jn. 2:16; Eph. 2:1-3; I Tim. 3:6.
h. He promotes doubt about God’s character and word: Gen. 3:1-6; Jn. 8:44; II Tim. 4:3-4.
i. He hurls accusations against believers: Job 1; Rev. 12:10
j. He works through governments: Matt. 4:8; Dan. 10:13-20; Ez. 28
k. He works through his demons: (Other angels who fell with him): Jude 6; I Tim. 4:1-3; Rev. 12:9; Mark 5:1-20; 9:17-29; Lk. 9:37-43.
l. He blinds the minds of people so they will not accept the gospel: II Cor. 4:3,4
m. He prevents the Word of God from affecting certain people: Lk. 8:11-12
n. He promotes false teaching and false teachers: I Tim. 4:1-2; II Tim. 3:5; II Pet. 2:1-2; I Jn. 4:1
o. He places false believers among true believers: Matt. 13:38-40; Acts 20:28-30
p. He promotes envy and selfishness: Jam. 3:14-16
q. He persecutes God’s people: Rev. 2:10; I Tim. 3:12
r. He opposes God’s servants: I Thess. 2:18
s. He will energize the antichrist: II Thess. 2:9,10

C. His defeat and destiny

1. Defeat:

At the cross Christ conquered Satan and secured the believers victory (Jn. 12:31; 16:11; col. 1:13; 2:14-15; I Jn. 3:8).  While it is true that the battle continues in this age (Eph. 6:10-12; I Pet. 5:8) the outcome of the battle does not hang in the balances.  The believer, through Christ, can be aware of, resist, and stand against Satan=s schemes (II Cor. 2:11; Eph. 4:27; 6:10-18; Js. 4:7; I Pet. 5:9).  We must always be prayerfully watchful (Col. 4:2; Eph. 6:18; Mk. 14:38; I Pet. 5:8).  Believers are safe from his ultimate designs (Jn. 10:28-29; Rom. 8:38-39).

2. Destiny: Satan’s destructive destiny under the judgment of God is outlined in Scripture:

a. He will be cast out of heaven: Rev. 12:7-12.
b. He will be bound during the thousand year reign of Christ: Rev. 20:1-3
c. He will be released at the end of the reign of Christ at which time he will lead a final rebellion against God: Rev. 20:7-9
d. He will be cast into the lake of fire forever: Rev. 20:10

Note: To order a set of Five CD’s on the character and strategy of Satan that Pastor Steve presented at Sandy Cove Bible Conference, call 872-4260. The cost is $10.00 for the set and case (plus shipping)

 

Looking for the Devil in the wrong places

 

Question: Is it possible that we’ve been looking for the Devil in the wrong places? 

Why do we so rarely associate these revealed characteristics with the evil one? Scripture says that, “the whole world is under the control of the evil one” (I John 5:19). In this light, consider how common the 10 characteristics below are to human history.

Ten connections between the character and activity of Satan and the actions of humans:

1. Discontentment: (Satan’s bait in Genesis 3)
2. Conceit: (I Timothy 3:6 ) comp. (II Cor. 12:7ff.)
3. Selfish ambition: (James 3:13-16)
4. Anger: (Ephesians 4:26-27)
5. Murder: (John 8:44)
6. Lying and deception: (John 8:44; II Cor. 11:13-15)       
7. Envy: (I John 3:12;Isaiah 14:12-14)
8. Willfulness and rebellion: (Gen. 4, Cain w/ I Jn. 3:12; Isa. 14:11-15, will vs. will)
9. Prideful arrogance: (Luke 22:31-34; I peter 5:5-9a; James 4:6-7)
10. Sexual sin: (I Corinthians 7:3-5)

Steve Cornell 

 

 

Satan: A Biblical study

 

by Steve Cornell

 

I. The Doctrine of Satan

A. The origin and fall of Satan:

1. The origin of Satan: Satan originally belonged to the highest ranking of angels. Satan was a guardian cherub, belonging to the group of cherubim angels. The cherubim appear to be those angels with closest access to God (Ex. 25:18-22; Ez. 28:14; 10:1-22; Rev. 4:6-8). The cherubim had the occupation of guarding God’s holiness (see also: Jude 9).

a. Ezekiel 28:11-15: The anointed Cherub. In the above passage the prophet Ezekiel is pronouncing judgment on the King of Tyre. In the first ten verses of the chapter, the prophet refers to him as the ruler of Tyre (28:1). There is an obvious change of content in verses 11-19 where the prophet speaks the word of the Lord to the King of Tyre. Ezekiel was evidently going behind the ruler of Tyre to the source of evil, Satan. The language of this passage could not have related to an earthly Ruler. The best understanding is that Satan is spoken of as the King of Tyre.

b. Isaiah 14:12: Lucifer – Morning Star. The name ascribed to Satan in the above passage is Lucifer which means Star of the morning, or Shining one. Satan’s origin was evidently one of beauty. He was of the supreme angelic host who had access to the inner circle of God’s presence.

2. The fall of Satan: It is apparent that God created angelic beings with a free will (or, in an unconfirmed state of innocence). Satan, as with all angels, could have chosen to maintain his blessed position. Yet he chose to rebel against God. The only scripture that provides explicit reference to the sin that occasioned the fall of satan is I Timothy 3:6. Several other scriptures provide possible insights into his rebellion.

a. Ezekiel 28:15-19: Several things may be noted in this passage about the fall of the anointed cherub.

1. Wickedness found in him: (v. 15) The wickedness was the sin of pride (v. 17a). See also I Tim. 3:6.

2. He merchandised sin: (v. 16a) Satan was not content to rebel on his own. He marketed his sin.

3. He was expelled from God’s presence; (v. 16b) The mount of God would seem to indicate God’s presence. Satan was expelled from his anointed position before the throne. Although Satan is still allowed access to God (Job 1:6-12; Zech. 3:1-2), he will one day ultimately be expelled from God’s presence (Rev. 12:7-13).

b. Isaiah 14:12-14: The cause of Satan’s fall.

This passage is evidently a reference to Satan. Take careful note of the great claims made in the text. The sin behind the fall of Satan was that of pride/conceit (see also : I Timothy 3:6; Romans12:3).

B. The titles and works of Satan:

1. Titles: Many things can be learned about Satan and his work through a study of his names and titles.

a. Satan: An adversary (Mt. 4:10, 12:26; John 13:27)

b. The Devil: An accuser, or slanderer: Scripture teaches that there are many demons but only one devil (Heb. 2:14; Eph. 4:27; Matt. 4:1,5).

c. The evil one: I Jn. 5:18, 19 (NIV)

d. The tempter: Matt. 4:3

e. The serpent: Gen. 3:1-14; II Cor. 11:3

f. The great dragon: Rev. 12:7-9

g. The accuser: Rev. 12:10; Zech. 3:1

h. A roaring lion: I Pet. 5:8; Job 1:7

i. A murderer and liar: Jn. 8:44

j. Disguised as an angel of light: II Cor. 11:14

k. Apollyon: the destroyer: Rev. 9:11

l. The ruler of the Kingdom of the air: Eph. 3;2; 6:11-12

m. The god of this age: II Cor. 4:4

n. The prince of this world: Jn. 14:30

2. Works: There are only three biblical passages where Satan may be observed speaking directly to someone else

Genesis 3 – slandering God to man

Job 1,2 – slandering man to God

Matthew 4 – attacking the God-Man

To gain an in-depth understanding of the nature of Satan’s work, these passages should be studied in detail. An overview of Satan’s work would include the following:

a. He promotes disobedience to God: Gen.3:1-6; Eph. 2:2

b. He possesses and works through people: Jn. 8:44; 13:2, 27; Acts 5:3

c. He causes sickness, calamity, and death: Acts 10:38; Lk. 13:16; Job 1:2; Heb. 2:14; Jn. 8:44.

d. He tempts people to sin: I Chron. 21:1; Matt. 4:1-11

e. He disguises himself and his workers: II Cor. 11:14, 15; II Thess. 2:9; Col. 2:18.

f. He encourages shortcuts to victory: Matt. 4:8,9.

g. He appeals to physical lusts and pride: Jn. 14:30 w/I Jn. 2:16; Eph. 2:1-3; I Tim. 3:6.

h. He promotes doubt about God=s character and word: Gen. 3:1-6; Jn. 8:44; II Tim. 4:3-4.

i. He hurls accusations against believers: Job 1; Rev. 12:10

j. He works through governments: Matt. 4:8; Dan. 10:13-20; Ez. 28

k. He works through his demons: (Other angels who fell with him): Jude 6; I Tim. 4:1-3; Rev. 12:9; Mark 5:1-20; 9:17-29; Lk. 9:37-43.

l. He blinds the minds of people so they will not accept the gospel: II Cor. 4:3,4

m. He prevents the Word of God from affecting certain people: Lk. 8:11-12

n. He promotes false teaching and false teachers: I Tim. 4:1-2; II Tim. 3:5; II Pet. 2:1-2; I Jn. 4:1

o. He places false believers among true believers: Matt. 13:38-40; Acts 20:28-30

p. He promotes envy and selfishness: James 3:14-16

q. He persecutes God’s people: Rev. 2:10; I Tim. 3:12

r. He opposes God’s servants: I Thess. 2:18

s. He will energize the antichrist: II Thess. 2:9,10

C. The defeat and destiny of Satan:

1. Satan’s defeat: At the cross Christ conquered Satan and secured the believers victory (Jn. 12:31; 16:11; col. 1:13; 2:14-15; I Jn. 3:8). While it is true that the battle continues in this age (Eph. 6:10-12; I Pet. 5:8) the outcome of the battle does not hang in the balances. The believer, through Christ, can be aware of, resist, and stand against Satan’s schemes (II Cor. 2:11; Eph. 4:27; 6:10-18; Js. 4:7; I Pet. 5:9). We must always be prayerfully watchful (Col. 4:2; Eph. 6:18; Mk. 14:38; I Pet. 5:8). Believers are safe from his ultimate designs (Jn. 10:28-29; Rom. 8:38-39).

2. Satan’s destiny: Satan’s destiny under the judgment of God is outlined in Scripture:

a. He will be ultimately cast out of heaven: Rev. 12:7-12.

b. He will be bound during the thousand year reign of Christ: Rev. 20:1-3

c. He will be released at the end of the reign of Christ at which time he will lead a final rebellion against God: Rev. 20:7-9

d. He will be cast into the lake of fire forever: Rev. 20:10

Final note: Scripture is repeatedly clear about our need to be alert to the strategy of the evil one. Jesus prayed that His Father would keep His followers from the evil one (John 17). The words of an apostle who knew what it meant to be “sifted” by Satan, gives the following words of warning: “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings” (I Peter 5:8-9).