Isaiah 14:14 & Ezekiel 28:14-17
In 1789, the British ship HMS Bounty was sailing through the South Pacific when part of the crew turned against their captain, William Bligh. Led by Fletcher Christian, the mutineers seized control of the ship, forced Bligh and several loyal crewmen into a small open boat, and took the Bounty for themselves.
The crew didn’t build the ship. They didn’t own the ship. They didn’t determine where the ship was supposed to go. They were given a place on someone else’s ship and then decided they should be the ones in charge.
Today's passages describe proud earthly kings, but Christians have long seen in their language an echo of an even greater rebellion. The rebellion of Satan himself.
God created him. God gave him his beauty, position, and privilege. But somewhere along the way, being under God’s authority was no longer enough.
Isaiah records the ambition that grew within him: “I will ascend to heaven… I will set my throne on high… I will make myself like the Most High.”
Satan essentially staged a mutiny against the King of the universe. And here’s what we need to understand about our enemy:
Satan’s rebellion began with a desire to take God’s place, and ever since, he has been trying to convince us to do the same.
Pride lies at the root of sin, the elevation of self over God. Pride was at the heart of Satan’s rebellion. And notice how he tempted Adam and Eve: “You will be like God” (Genesis 3:5).
Satan wanted God’s place, and then he tempted humanity to do the same. The mutineer invited Adam and Eve to join the mutiny. And the result was the same—they fell.
Remember this: There’s no place to go but down when it comes to pride. Proverbs 16:18 puts it this way: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
I could write a book about the times I’ve let pride have its way in my life, and the price I’ve paid for it. Satan’s story should serve as a warning to all of us: pride always promises to lift us up, but eventually it brings us down.
The New Testament also reminds us just how far Satan’s rebellion brought him down. Jesus said in Luke 10:18, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”
And Satan isn’t finished falling. When battling the Evil One, it’s good to remember his final destiny. One day he will be thrown into the lake of fire.
Revelation 20:10 says, “and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur... and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”
Satan wanted to go up. Instead, he was brought down. And one day, his defeat will be final.
There really is nowhere to go but down when pride has its way.
Because we belong to Christ, there is now no condemnation for us (Romans 8:1). But freedom from condemnation doesn’t mean freedom from consequences. Pride can still wreak havoc in our relationships, our families, our churches, and our walk with God.
We are children of God, called to live under the authority of our King. So don’t join the mutiny. Live humbly. Resist the devil. Say no to pride.