“Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.
Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud…
There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death”
Proverbs 16:18-19, 25
The Fallen Ones
What is pride and where did it come from? According to the dictionary, the definition of pride is:
The quality or state of being proud:
a: inordinate self-esteem : CONCEIT (excessive appreciation of one's own worth or virtue)
b: a reasonable or justifiable self-respect
c: delight or elation arising from some act, possession, or relationship <parental pride>
Many still teach to this day that the “original sin” was conceived in the Garden of Eden. This is not true. It started in the heavens right before the throne of the Most High.
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. Isaiah 14:12–15
The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying, Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God: Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee: With thy wisdom and with thine understanding thou hast gotten thee riches, and hast gotten gold and silver into thy treasures: By thy great wisdom and by thy traffick hast thou increased thy riches, and thine heart is lifted up because of thy riches: Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast set thine heart as the heart of God; Behold, therefore I will bring strangers upon thee, the terrible of the nations: and they shall draw their swords against the beauty of thy wisdom, and they shall defile thy brightness. Ezekiel 28:1–7
In Isaiah 14 we are told that Lucifer “said in his heart” those five “I wills”. Remember the importance of words and how much power is carried in them. In Ezekiel 28:5 we see a picture of this fallen spirit manifested in a man. God says that “thine heart is lifted up because of thy riches”. The words “lifted up” are translated from the Hebrew word gabahh which is basically the same word used as “haughty” in Proverbs 16:18. In the next verse He says that this man of sin has “set thine heart as the heart of God”. This is the very definition of pride – inordinate self-esteem or self-love – exalting oneself as God.
Now we all know that this fallen spirit along with his minions was cast from their place at the throne of God and in heaven. Later in the Garden of Eden it was by words that the devil was able to deceive Adam and Eve and it is by words that he continues to deceive to this day.
“We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.”
1John 5:18-21
It is important to understand the nature of this “wickedness”. Verse 18 personalizes it by the using the phrase “wicked one”. The next verse uses the word “wickedness” but some translations as well as the Greek text include the article ‘the’ which gives us more of an indication that this “wickedness” is more than just an adjective but it has been brought to a personal level (see also Ephesians 6:12). This also cooresponds to the picture of this personal manifestion that we see in Ezekiel 28. Furthermore it is crucial that we understand the impact of what the Lord is telling us in the last statement of 1John 5 – that we keep ourselves from idols!
Now you may say that this is all true and we’ve heard it before, but here’s where it starts to get really ugly because we are going to hit home. Let’s see how this spirit has influenced the people of the United States of America which has been proclaimed through the centuries (and especially in these days) as a nation founded on the principles of Christianity.
American Pride
In the 20th century, particularly during the time of World War II, the United States became increasing wealthy and powerful. The people considered themselves to be blessed and were proud to claim that this was the finest nation in the entire world. Let’s take a close look at the beginning of this nation and the words that were used in the foundation document – The Declaration of Independence.
Quoting from the first paragraph:
"When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation."
The "powers of the Earth"?...The "Laws of Nature"?..."Nature's God"?...
Again, we've been deceived by the master deceiver. What exactly did they mean by “powers of the earth”? Is this a sublime inference to the “prince of the power of the air” spoken of by the apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:2? What exactly is meant by the “Laws of Nature” and “Nature’s God”? There is some significance to the fact that these terms are capitalized and I believe that they can be scripturally correlated to Romans 1:25 which tells us: “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen”. They are trying to make us believe that this country is "Christian" when the founding documents DENY Jesus Christ the person because he is clearly not ever mentioned by name. He says - "if you deny me before men I will deny you before my Father". The God they served and in turn those that pledge allegiance to him (rather her) is Gaia...the Queen of Heaven. The proof stands in the New York Harbor. She is the beacon of light that stands to represent America – not Jesus Christ – the Light of the world!
Let’s read on:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…”
And a little further down, we see one of the accusations against King George of Great Britain:
“He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.”
All men are created equal right? – tell that to the native “Americans” - or rather those “merciless Indian Savages”. Tell that to those people that were here for centuries before the Anglos came across from Europe. How do we justify what happened to the people (Savages they called them) that these so-called "Christians" slaughtered in cold blood? They say the Indians were the "inhabitants of OUR frontiers". How can you call it OUR frontier unless you are blind, arrogant and full of yourself? The Indians were here first and the Anglos came and conquered this land and we sit here and say that this country is founded on righteousness? At a minimal we have the devil contriving and lying as his usual self and masquerading as an angel of light with ministers of righteousness (2nd Corinthians 11:14-15) to have these “founding fathers” ( “ministers of righteousness”) to believe that King George is at fault for inciting the Indians to act against the Americans for invading THEIR frontier!
All men are created equal right? Tell that to millions of aborted babies that this "righteous" land continues to allow to be butchered every day! If I pledge allegiance to the laws of this land and they are against the Most High I had better know that I will be held accountable for every idle word uttered from my mouth (Matthew 12:36). Ignorance is not an excuse – He says that MY people are DESTROYED because they lack knowledge (Hosea 4:6). The time is now for us to wake up out of coma and come to repentance. We have lifted up this country as this great purveyor of freedom and justice. We have allowed this country to become a God and now millions are being blinded by patriotism and are being systematically brainwashed to be against Father God and His Kingdom. What are we thinking – that Jesus Christ is going to come back to earth to rule and put into place as his governing authority the Constitution of the United States? That would be absurd. Every system in place down here is going to be trodden under foot and that includes this American system. The blessed assurance is that His people cannot be deceived and will wake up and come out from among them and be saved when He does return – but first the Truth must be proclaimed.
Pride Instilled through Patriotism and Wars
Currently there is an even stronger push for patriotism that has stemmed from the attacks on 9/11 and the subsequent invasions of Iraq. We must be able to come to the conclusion that there is no political solution to any situation on this earth including wars which are always political and financial executions. Romans 2:1 says: “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.”
Is it not plain to see that this country is blatantly hypocrital for justifying an overthrow of Saddam Hussein, a ruler that surly did kill thousands, but the laws of this land have permitted over 50 million innocent lives to be snuffed out since the 1970’s? The soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan are dying in vain but the lies continue to bleat forth that they are fighting for “freedom” and if it were not for their sacrifices this country would be in the throes of communism or Islamic radicals.
This is a quotation that is circulating on the Internet, bumper stickers and office cubicles all over America:
''Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you: Jesus Christ and the American GI. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.''
Famed martial arts fighter, movie star and alleged Christian Chuck Norris wrote an article that was published on the website WorldNetDaily.com. Talking about American soldiers in Iraq, Mr. Norris says:
"Their sacrifice makes me think of Jesus' words, "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." I'm assuming that includes world friends and neighbors too." (emphasis mine).
He assumes a lot when those very words are against Jesus Christ who states that to be friends with the world (men or women that do not believe in and personally know Jesus Christ) is to be God's enemy (1John 2:15, James 4:4).
A mind that is in delusion will refuse to believe that soldiers are dying in vain in Iraq. They stand firm in a belief that has them thinking that we (Americans) are free and that soldiers fighting in a satanically contrived conflict are equated to or even exalted above Jesus Christ as a reason for freedom. America or any other man made authority is incapable of providing freedom.
I am only using this as an example and I do not say this with any political motivation because I believe that we as Christians can no longer hold to political affiliations or for that matter, any affiliation with any world system in place here in these last days. I am not a Democrat or Republican; I am not black or white; I am Christian and there is no law but the law of the Holy Spirit and He only ascends on a son of God.
The devil is the God of this world and that's who we all pledged allegiance to every day in school...one nation under "GOD"...Why isn't it "One nation under JESUS CHRIST"? Why isn't Jesus Christ named in the Declaration of Independence or the United States Constitution? Actually there is a reference to the generic “Lord” in the Signatory section of the Constitution – but we must understand that there is no other name given under heaven among men whereby we must be saved but Jesus Christ! (Acts 4:12) Again, they name a generic "God". This fits right in line today’s paradigm of incorporating all religious “deities” as all one in the same but sharing a different name. Don’t get me wrong about America. I do believe that God did have a purpose for this country over the last few hundred years. It was indeed the freest country in the world in that it allowed for freedom of speech and religion and it was a conduit for the Gospel to be proclaimed. But it is nearing the end of that purpose. Soon, as the end time Gospel is proclaimed – as the spirit of Elijah is loosed on the world to be the forerunner of the return of our Lord – the once free speech loving governmental system will not tolerate those that speak the truth against this evil system.
The Humble Minded
The only solution to the proud mindset is a renewed mind which can only occur through the Word of God.
In Philippians 2:1–11 He says:
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
1st Peter 5: 5 and 6 say:
“Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time”
Peter was telling the elders how to properly feed God’s flock. Not doing it in an overbearing way and not begrudgingly but willingly and not lording over them as one superior in a condescending way. Ultimately we are to be setting an example in our own lives.
James 4: 6–10 states:
“But he gives more grace. Wherefore he says, ‘God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble’. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”
Both Peter and James were quoting Proverbs 3:34 which says “Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly”. We can see how he is interchanging the word scorner (or mocker) with someone that is proud. The main point is to understand how we can submit to God. The only way is by being humble. The humble nature will result in resistance to the forces of darkness and we will be less likely to succumb to them. Thus we will be able to draw nearer to God because we will not have resistance to Him and likewise He will not resist us. Obviously this is easier said than done and there are many that claim to walk this way but do we really understand the depths of pride and how it affects us.
It is too late in the day to be holding on to past affections, especially when they are ultimately rooted in darkness. No longer can we argue that this nation is the greatest nation in the world and that there is no better place to live. How can we just sit idly by while thousands of innocent babies are extinguished every day while at the same time death sentences are handed down and carried out by law for convicted murderers whether they really be innocent or guilty (again refer to Romans 2:1). Even the Jews as they sought to have Jesus crucified told Pilate that it is not lawful for us to put a man to death (John 18:31) but yet they were still compelled by the powers of darkness to have him murdered.
The Lord desires us to separate from the world in order that we truly can be His people. Jesus says “If my kingdom is of this world then my servants would fight for me to not be delivered to death” (John 18:36). This is how Christians should be. We are not fighting political battles to overturn abortion or death penalties. We are waging a spiritual war against demonic powers that have taken control of people’s minds. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life are the enemy, not governments and religious organizations.
To use the words from the Declaration of Independence, it is time for us to dissolve these bands and be impelled to separate from them. We must humble ourselves before our graceful and merciful Lord before destruction comes.
When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take them: but he that puts his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain;
And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people.
For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made.
Isaiah 57:13–16
And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
Luke 1:50–52
Who has believed our report and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
Isaiah 53:1
Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.
Deuteronomy 10:16
And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou may live.
Deuteronomy 30:6