God Resists the Proud

God resists the proud is a biblical concept that each of us should think about, and for some very important reasons. It’s found in both the Old and New Testaments, and so we know that God places importance on it. It was written to those who follow Christ and not to unbelievers, which makes it important for every disciple of Jesus to understand. It’s also one of the few places found in Scripture that reveal God actively opposing a sinful heart attitude rather than simply judging someone based on the wrong they have done.

The Beginning of Pride

To find out why God resists the proud we first need to go to the beginning of recorded history. Before Adam and Eve, God first created the spiritual world and all those who live in that realm, including an individual we call Lucifer. According to Scripture, he was present when Earth was formed.

Job 38:4-7

Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? To what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?   (NKJV)

He was the wisest and greatest of all created beings, magnificent in every detail – yet that wasn’t enough for him. Lucifer became proud because of his wisdom and beauty and his pride was his downfall. Lucifer wasn’t content to follow God’s leading, and instead, he set himself in opposition to what God declared.

Isaiah 14:13-14

For you have said in your heart:

‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’   (NKJV)

Doing His Own Thing

Lucifer wanted to be his own master, his own God. He wanted to do what he wanted to do and not what God had planned for him. He was filled with pride and so he began to resist God, causing sin, harm and spiritual death in everyone and everything he touched or influenced. Pride caused his separation from God (spiritual death), and divorced him from all that is good and righteous! The result was war and antagonism against God Himself.

In his rebellion, we see the beginning of why God resists the proud.

This is Part One of a multi-part series. Keep watch for the next installment!