Many of us know what happened before the events in Eden: the devil—Satan—rebelled against God and was cast down from the exalted position he once held. The Bible describes him as “the anointed cherub who covers,” highly honored and exalted on God’s holy mountain, above other angels. He was perfect in beauty, full of wisdom, and blameless in his ways—until the day iniquity was found in him (Ezekiel 28:12–17).
Because of the abundance of gifts, wisdom, and honor surrounding him, Satan’s heart became proud, and he desired to exalt himself to be like God. Isaiah 14:12–14 recounts his ambition:
“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!
… You said in your heart: ‘I will ascend to heaven;
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;
… I will make myself like the Most High.’”
Who deceived Satan?
The answer is simple: no one deceived Satan—he deceived himself. Seeing how God had exalted him, he longed for even more. Pride entered his heart, and though he was warned, he refused to turn back. Eventually, he was cast out of heaven, losing his place in God’s glorious presence. Yet God did not destroy him immediately, nor did He strip away his wisdom, beauty, or power—only his heavenly position.
Like a commander removed from his rank but still retaining his military expertise, Satan retained his abilities. Many mistakenly imagine that when Satan fell, he became a grotesque, horned creature incapable of rational thought. In truth, what he lost was the glory of God that once shone through him. Without God’s glory, spiritual death set in (Ezekiel 28:18).
The rise of the kingdom of darkness
By the time God created the first man, Adam, Satan had already established his rebellious kingdom—the kingdom of darkness—set against God’s kingdom (Colossians 1:13). Everything Satan does is in opposition to God’s purposes. Knowing that Adam was given a high position in God’s plan, Satan sought to extend his rebellion by bringing humanity down.
How? By planting in humans the same thought that caused his own fall—the desire to “be like God.”
Genesis 3:4–5 records the serpent’s deception of Eve:
“You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
Satan tempted Adam and Eve with the very ambition that led to his own downfall. Instead of becoming like God, they lost their privileged position and were expelled from Eden—just as Satan had been expelled from heaven.
Satan’s unchanged strategy: Pride
Satan has not changed his tactics. The same spirit of pride that caused him to fall is what he uses to lead humanity astray today. Pride dethroned him, and he knows it is the surest way to bring people down.
Even within the church, Satan works to plant pride:
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He stirs flattery and excessive praise toward pastors, teachers, or leaders, tempting them to believe they are superior.
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He manipulates spiritual experiences—such as deliverances—where demons themselves flatter a servant of God: “We fear you! You are the only one who can torment us!” Forgetting that Satan is “the father of lies” (John 8:44), the minister may unknowingly fall into pride.
Jesus warned in Luke 14:11:
“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Guarding against the spirit of pride
We must remember that wealth, beauty, status, talents, spiritual gifts, or ministry should never cause us to think we deserve special honor or that we stand next to God Himself. Pride remains the very weapon Satan uses to cause many to fall.
The Bible warns:
“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” (1 Corinthians 10:12).
The antidote to pride is humility.
1 Peter 5:5–8 commands:
“Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you.
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
A call to repentance
Has the pride of life led you to believe that even salvation itself is not important? Repent today. Turn to Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38). Only in Christ can we resist the schemes of the devil and walk in victory over pride.
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
Stay humble, stay alert, and walk in the grace of God