Biblical interpretation must start with clear, explicit scripture before tackling difficult topics; this prevents the common trap of eisegesis (reading one's own assumptions into the Scripture).
Acknowledging that human understanding is flawed, while the Word itself is absolute, fosters genuine humility and growth in ministry students
Ezek 28:11-17
11 Then this further message came to me from the Lord: 12 "Son of man, sing this funeral song for the king of Tyre. Give him this message from the Sovereign Lord:
"You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and exquisite in beauty.13 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.14 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.
15 "You were blameless in all you did from the day you were created until the day evil was found in you.16 Your rich commerce led you to violence, and you sinned. 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.17 Your heart was filled with pride because of all your beauty. Your wisdom was corrupted by your love of splendor. So I threw you to the ground and exposed you to the curious gaze of kings. NLT
- What Evil was found in Him?
The Purpose of Understanding the Evil in Satan is to expose who he is:
1. It will reveal his fundamental weaknesses. (character)
2. It will expose his methods- since every seed bears after its own kind (he destroys others using the same venom that destroyed him).
3. It will provide a blueprint to help believers avoid falling into the same trap.
17 Your heart was filled with pride because of all your beauty. Your wisdom was corrupted by your love of splendor.
Pride: to be high, exalted, arrogant
Heart: the inner self or being, the seat of one's inner nature
- When you forget the source of your gifts and callings, you will think more highly of yourself than you should!
The Dangers of Pride
Ps 31:20
20 Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. KJV
Ps 36:11
11 Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me. KJV
Ps 73:6
6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. KJV
Prov 8:13-14
13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. KJV
Prov 11:2
2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. KJV
A world desperate for true affirmation often settles for a cheap, superficial sense of security, which will lead to a false sense of pride.
2 Tim 3:1-2
3 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, KJV
Lovers of themselves: An excessive fondness of self
- Superficial pride acts like emotional sugar—it gives a quick, artificial high but lacks the substance to sustain people through difficult adversity
The Source of Pride
1 Tim 3:6-7
6 not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. NKJV
Condemnation: the "decision" of a judge
- Pride led to a decision-making (judgements) process resulting in his downfall.
Satan had multiple objects of jealousy (God's glory, Jesus' central role, and humanity
13a You were in Eden, the garden of God…………14 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.
- Satan was in the Garden of Eden, which is on Earth, not in Heaven.
- He was ordained as the "anointed cherub that covereth" planet Earth, making Earth his assigned domain of guardianship.
Isa 14:12-15
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! 13 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: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. 15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. KJV
Satan Hates you, us!
Heb 1:14
14 Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation. NLT
Servant: the activity of ministering, rendering service to others
- Angels were created to be ministers and eternal servants to mankind
Ps 8:1-6
8 1 O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens. 2 You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you. 3 When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—the moon and the stars you set in place—4 what are people that you should think about them, mere mortals that you should care for them? 5 Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor. 6 You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority— NLT
Matt 10:1-2
10 Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness. NLT
Authority (Exousia): This is the legal, moral, or delegated right to rule, command, and make decisions. It is granted by a higher power or entity.
- You were created in God’s image, crowned with dignity and Honor!
- Mankind was given total authority and dominion over Earth, making them superior to Satan even at his peak.
- Driven by jealousy of man’s superior status and authority, Satan chose to rebel and try to steal man's dominion rather than serve them.
Luke 10:17-20
17 When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, "Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!" 18 "Yes," he told them, "I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! 19 Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. 20 But don't rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven." NLT
Conclusion: Your gift to Satan is fear; fear of failure, rejection, shame!
- Fear and pride work closely together by feeding and protecting one another in the human mind.
- Pride creates fear because a proud person has a fragile ego and a high status to protect, making them deeply afraid of failure, judgment, or looking weak.
