There has always been a strait and narrow way and that path was one of complete submission to God's will. Any other actions than those approved of God would only corrupt God's perfect and fine tuned order. Wisdom is found in knowing that God is all wise and it is impossible to improve upon His ways and requirements. Any deviation from God's will can only damage what God has so wisely created and established.
Satan (Lucifer) is the pioneer of the way of the transgressors of God’s will (John 8:44, Proverbs 2:22, 13:15). He has hewn down God’s ordinances and removed the road blocks of His commandments (Ezekiel 28:18). He is the father of iniquity (lawlessness). Though there had only ever been one road, the straight and narrow road of obedience and submission to God, Satan blazed a broad path into the unknown bringing unimaginable pain and suffering into God's order.
Heaven was once a place of complete rest, but Satan defiled His sanctuaries and as a result was cast out of Heaven. Satan pioneered what we now call, "the broad road to destruction." He wanted to exalt Himself and be like God. God ended Satan's 'broad road' with a construction project of his own. God closed the road and ended it with a place called Hell (Matthew 25:41).
This ‘pride induced’ detour of rebellion twisted him into a contagious spirit of corruption that would lead multitudes of humans and a third of the angels to his own final tormented ruin (Rev. 12:4). The most frightful thing imaginable is to suffer infinite wrath as God’s enemy and be eternally dead to His goodness and grace. Who can deliver from His wrath? (Deut. 32:39)
We are given helpful insight into what Satan (Lucifer) had been thinking when he rose up to lead disciples after himself in Isaiah 14:13, 14, “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.” I will is used here 5 times.
It is a short step from “I will” to I AM. Satan wanted to be the god and lord of his own life. He wanted to sit upon the throne of his own heart. He lusted to be like the Most High God- not just in his own life, but in the lives of others. There arose within the bosom of Satan an absolute corruption in his nature as he ceased for all eternity to be humble and tremble at God’s word (Isaiah 66:1, 2). He could never again be a place of God's rest. This root corruption is spiritual rebellion.
From this point on, Satan would submit to God’s will- but no longer willingly. This is an important point. Satan no longer lived and loved to do God’s will. He broke off from God’s will and took up his own. Understand that as an angel Satan is and has always been under God Almighty’s sovereign authority, but since his fall he has not submitted willingly. He has made himself the enemy of God by corrupting his own nature. He is and forever will be the father of all those that are disobedient (Ephesians 2:3, Col. 3:6).
Be the first to react on this!
Robert Wurtz II ( - )
For almost 20 years I have served as a author and teacher of advanced biblical studies. My interests are the New Covenant, apologetics and classical revival. Native of the Kansas City, Mo area and reside now in Independence, MO with wife Anna.He is the author of many books including the newest Televangelicalism. In this insightful and thought provoking book, Robert Wurtz II traces the history of Christian evangelism from the book of Acts to modern times. The contrast between pre-1900 and post-1900 evangelism is so sharp, that the book is divided into two sections: Part 1, the pre-Billy Sunday era and Part 2, the post-Billy Sunday evangelistic era. This book is a must-read for anyone that has concerns about issues such as "the sinner's prayer" or shallow concepts of conversion.