‘You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit.’ – Isaiah 14:13-15
The root of all disloyal behavior is pride and pride comes before a fall (Proverbs 16:18).
Dictionary.com defines pride as ‘a high or inordinate opinion of one’s own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct, etc.’
Pride and disloyalty were first found in Satan. God created him special with a lot of wisdom, anointing and beauty. He had a special place among God’s heavenly beings and had access to God’s holy mountain (Ezekiel 28:12-17). Our reference scripture makes it clear that he considered himself better than what God made him. He was not content with his special place in heaven so he began to harbor ambitions to ascend and be like God. Satan’s pride and disloyalty ultimately led to his downfall and destruction.
In contrast to Satan’s pride, we have the humility of Jesus Christ: Philippians 2:6-8 (NLT) says, ‘You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.’
Jesus, despite being by nature God, gave up all of the divine privileges to come to earth to die for our sins. Imagine that! Being in paradise but giving it up to die on a cross for sins that you didn’t commit and people who didn’t love you back!
Because of His great humility: “God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9-11).”
With humility also comes loyalty. At the end of the world, Jesus will deliver everything under Him and subject Himself to the Father that put all things under Him. 1 Corinthians 15:28 NLT – ‘Then, when all things are under his authority, the Son will put himself under God’s authority, so that God, who gave his Son authority over all things, will be utterly supreme over everything everywhere.’
WHAT’S NEXT? Repent of every seed of pride and disloyalty in your life. Don’t seek to elevate yourself. This will only lead to your fall. Humble yourself because in due time God will exalt you (1 Peter 5:6). Take up the same attitude as Jesus Christ.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank you for your great example of humility and loyalty. Beginning today, I choose the same attitude of humility and loyalty. By your grace, I choose to be humble and loyal in all my relationships. I will not seek to exalt myself because I know that in your perfection you know the proper timing and circumstances for everything. I will be grateful for what I am and not think of myself as more than that (Romans 12:3). In Jesus’ name, Amen.