As when look at the scriptures carefully, we realize that
the way Jesus went was the exact opposite of the way the devil went. We need to
see this in order to judge ourselves and the way we have been walking whether
we have been following the devil or whether we have been following Jesus.
1.
Humility and Pride
The way the devil fell was due to his pride, Ezekiel 28:1-6. The devil was proud of his wisdom,
knowledge, wealth, beauty, understanding, skills. The pride was in the mind and
he thought that he was as wise as god. pride was inward and he didn’t speak it.
It’s the same today, if you have high thoughts about yourselves maybe on your
accomplishments, skills, knowledge, wisdom, wealth, or anything that makes you
think you are better than others because they are not on your level and you
despise them or desire to be admired by people, whether you know it or not, you
are following the devil.
Jesus on the contrary humbled
himself from birth to death. He was born
in a manger, even poorest of women give birth in decent places, and he died the
worst death of the most notorious criminals, crucifixion, without clothes only
in underwear before children and all men. Phil 2:6-9.
Humility is what Jesus told us to learn from him, in Math 11:29 and Paul
continues to tell us to have the same mindset and attitude of Christ and to
esteem others better than ourselves. Phil 2:3-5
Let us follow Jesus in humility.
2.
Submission to
authority.
This is another area we see the
difference between Jesus and the devil. Before the fall of satan, there was
only person over him and that was God. God was a perfect authority who the
devil was to submit to but he rebelled and that was his fall. Isaiah 14:12-15
Jesus on the other side submitted
to imperfect authority of Joseph and Mary. Luke 2:51 LSB says that
And He went down with them and
came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them. Jesus was perfect and
did everything imperfect, on the other side, Joseph and Mary were imperfect and
they did many mistakes just like our earthly parents even those who fear God,
and here we see Jesus submitting to the authority that God had placed over him.
Let us learn from Jesus to submit
to imperfect authority which God has placed over us whether at home or at
workplace, or the government or in the church. Let us not follow the devil in
rebellion to authority.
3.
Discontentment.
The devil was the anointed cherub and was
in charge of other cherubs in heaven, though he was in a position higher than
most of the angels, he was discontent with that position and wanted more than
what God had already given him. He wanted to be worshipped like God.
On the other hand, Jesus was perfectly
contented with what God gave him and never complained even once to God over
anything.
Paul tells us that godliness with contentment
is a great gain. 1Tim6:6
Paul also says that he never crossed the
limits that god had set for him. 2Cor 10:14
Let us learn contentment and giving thanks
in everything.
4.
Selfishness.
Selfishness is being concerned exclusively,
for oneself or one's own advantage, pleasure, or welfare, regardless of others.
It is simply doing my own will.
In Isaiah 14:13, 14,
if you read carefully and slowly, you will find that the devil said “I Will”
5times. Doing my own will is one primary mark of the devil.
On the other side, we see Jesus saying,”
not as I I will, but your will be done” and every day he said that he came not
to do His own will, but the will of God. John 6:38.
Every day we have many opportunities to do
own will or deny our wills and do the will of God, we have followed the devil for
long in doing our own will, but let us repent and decide from today, not to do
our own will, but the will of God in every area of our lives.
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