It has been said that God is the originator of sin, and that He directly created sin. This is not so: James 1:13 says "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man". God indirectly allowed sin to come forth, but He did not Himself create, decree or incite it. How do we know? Because this would violate His moral attributes and eternal holiness. There is a strict difference between trying and testing someone (Gen 22:1) and purposefully seducing someone. God cannot seduce; He is unversed in evil (Hab 2:12-13); His heart is too pure to entertain perversity, much less to sway mankind toward it's stains. Isaiah tells us that the Lord "forms the light, and creates darkness" (45:7). Furthermore, Amos tells us "shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it?" (3:6). However, these Scriptures refer to those acts of judgment God brings upon sinners who transgress His laws, not that God Himself was the Author of sin and evil. God knew in His omniscience what Lucifer would choose, but did not incite him toward it.
Much can be learned from Lucifer's history and the context by which iniquity was found in him. We should take heed to his blatant error.
Let's look at Lucifer's description before his fall:
- Lucifer was the Day Star, the Shining One, the Light-bearer.
- the Son of the Morning, because of his brightness.
- Full of beauty and wisdom, nothing could be hidden from him.
- He was in Eden, the Garden of God.
- Every precious stone was his covering, as the colors of the rainbow for beauty.
- He was a minstrel. He was made up of pipes and tabrets.
- He was the anointed Cherub and the guardian of God's throne.
- He walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire, the fire of God's holiness.
- He was perfect in all his ways from the day he was created.
Now let's see how he's described after his fall:
The Bible says that "iniquity was found" in him (Ezek 28:15). Evil originated in the heart of Lucifer himself. He is the author, the originator, and the beginning of all sin. He is sin personified. The mystery of iniquity began its work in the universe in this fallen being (2 Thess 2:7). God did not create a wicked creature. He created a free-will being who had the power of choice, and who became evil by choice. Lucifer became corrupted in his nature by pride and became "the devil".
But why did he become corrupt? From the testimony of Scripture, we know that pride was his ultimate downfall: "Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness" (Ezek 28:17). But why was he so proud? We do not definitively know why, but there are theories. Perhaps he saw the Lord preparing mankind for His eternal inheritance and began to look at himself as greater than mere dust: "What is man that thou art mindful of him, or the son of man that thou visitest him?" This phrase occurs only a few times in Scripture. Some scholars believe the devil is speaking in at least one of these instances! Was he jealous of mankind? It's very possible.
This is especially convincing when we see the desires of Lucifer, as he fell. How ironic that the very thing Lucifer proclaimed that he wanted in Isaiah 14:12-14 was actually the position the redeemed bride will one day possess. Observe..
"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" (Isa 14:12-14).
(1) Lucifer said, "I will ascend into heaven". Similarly, the saints are the ones who will one day posses this heavenly abode (Matt 5:3, 12; Rev 21:1; etc).
(2) "I will exalt my throne above the stars of God". Likewise, the saints of God are who will one day be glorified with the brightness of the stars of the sky (1 Cor 15:41-42). Scripture testifies to this further in the book of Daniel: "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever" (12:3). Notice that it's the "wise" who will possess this testimony, not the foolish, of whom Satan is chiefest.
(3) Satan wanted to "sit upon the mount of the congregation in the sides of the north". This speaks of a place of dominion and power. However, Satan sought to obtain this place by bypassing the only means by which it's truly obtained: Jesus Christ. The bride won't make this same dreadful, proud error. Her sufficiency is of God (2 Cor 3:5). Thankfully, real dominion will one day be fully in the bride's possession, via her intimate acquaintance to Him who is all powerful: "Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power" (1 Cor 15:24).
(4) Furthermore, he said, "I will ascend above the heights of the clouds". This surely will never be Satan's either. Rather, of the bride the Bible says, "A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary" (Jer 17:12).
(5) Finally, Satan's desire was: "I will be like the Most High". What a precious testimony that this bride will possess, even the very image of God (2 Cor 3:18; Gal 4:19)!
What a bold mistake; what a brash desire Satan had! And how wonderful that WE will occupy such a desired estate! May we always find our sufficiency in the finished work of the cross, and never in ourselves, as Lucifer did. What a difference the avenue of Christ Jesus makes!
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