The Deception

CONSIDER
Lucifer initiated the subversion in heaven. In the perfect environment of heaven, Lucifer was created.

“You were the model of perfection,
     full of wisdom and exquisite in beauty.
You were in Eden,
     the garden of God.
Your clothing was adorned with every precious stone—
     red carnelian, pale-green peridot, white moonstone,
     blue-green beryl, onyx, green jasper,
     blue lapis lazuli, turquoise, and emerald—
all beautifully crafted for you
     and set in the finest gold.
They were given to you
     on the day you were created.” (Ezek. 28:12–13 NLT)

Lucifer served in God’s perfect presence.

“I ordained and anointed you
     as the mighty angelic guardian.
You had access to the holy mountain of God
     and walked among the stones of fire.” (Ezek. 28:14 NLT)

But even in the perfect environment of heaven, in God’s perfect presence, Lucifer believed he had a better plan than God.

“Your heart was filled with pride
     because of all your beauty.
Your wisdom was corrupted
     by your love of splendor.” (Ezek. 28:17 NLT)

“How you are fallen from heaven,
     O shining star, son of the morning!
You have been thrown down to the earth,
     you who destroyed the nations of the world.
For you said to yourself,
     ‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars.
I will preside on the mountain of the gods
     far away in the north.
I will climb to the highest heavens
     and be like the Most High.’” (Isa. 14:12–14 NLT)

Lucifer perpetrated his faulty belief system that he should be god. He convinced one third of the angels that he had a better plan than God (Rev. 12:4).

“So I banished you in disgrace
     from the mountain of God.
I expelled you, O mighty guardian,
     from your place among the stones of fire.” (Ezek. 28:16 NLT)

BIBLE TRUTH
“But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God” (Rom. 1:18–20 NLT).

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO ME?
Still believing he could be god, Satan devised a plan in an attempt to subvert God’s design for humanity. By distorting Eve’s view of God, the trap was laid for all humanity. Every temptation that threatens us is a temptation to live independently from God. Believing God cannot be trusted to govern our lives as we see fit, we must complete ourselves—we must be god in our lives. This idolatrous belief perpetrates arrogance and selfish ambition as we follow our own way with a distorted view of God and reality.

PRAYER
Lord, You are my Master. Every good thing I have comes from you. Troubles multiply for me when I chase after other gods. I will not take part in their sacrifices or even speak the names of their gods. Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine. The land you have given me is a pleasant land. What a wonderful inheritance! . . . (Psalm 16:2–6)


(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)


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