03.11. SIX LESSONS ON FAITH G O N E W R O N G
SIX LESSONS ON FAITH G O N E W R O N G Can faith go wrong? Yes, in tragic fashion! The testimony of Lucifer is a tragedy of perfect giftings and anointings ruined by a faith reality gone wrong. How did Lucifer develop a perverted faith reality that blasphemed GOD?
There are lessons to be learned and understood from this tragedy, for the wellbeing of each one of us called to be sons of the MOST HIGH - both male and female (see Galatians 3:26-28). This chapter is written as a warning, especially to those of us who are in front- line ministry, holding positions of responsibility in the Body of CHRIST.
Lucifer not only destroyed his own life but he also destroyed the lives of millions of angels who were called forth as sons of GOD - in GOD’s faith and love expressed over their lives. The spheres of influence that Lucifers giftings and anointings pro- duced through the exercise of his faith realities, became a spiritual force field of deception that corrupted and destroyed the lives of so many called forth - by the faith and love of GOD - to stand in the high places of GOD’s universe!
We too are called forth by the faith and love of GOD to stand in heav- enly places (see Ephesians 1:3-10; Ephesians 3:8-10). From what happened to Lucifer and his angels, we must understand that our high positions - in this reality of GOD’s faith and love for us - must necessarily (and entirely) be defined in CHRIST JESUS (see Ephesians 1:3-10; Ephesians 3:8-10).
And, this is entirely possible because of the possibility of us each receiv- ing and realizing of the actual substance of the Master’s fullness! The actuality of the substance of CHRIST JESUS fullness is what defines all realities in truth within us and amongst us!
Scripture declares that HIS Fullness is to fill all-in-all (see Ephesians 1:22-23). Scripture declares that it is the FATHER’s will for all the fullness to dwell in CHRIST JESUS (see Colossians 1:19). To stand in heavenly places we must be entirely knitted together, by the HOLY SPIRIT, in the substance of the faith and love of JESUS CHRIST. The substance of the faith and love of JESUS CHRIST, that communi- cates HIS Fullness, so that we will be entirely enabled in HIM, in a con- viction and confidence that knows and understands HIM as LORD. Our free will functional response must be built - in substance and witness - entirely in CHRIST JESUS, so that HE becomes to us in fully func-tional terms the Way, the Truth and the Life. In this reality of HIM being the Way, the Truth and the Life, HE will also become to us the BELOVED! HIS love actualized in our nature and char- acter will keep our faith true. And, this actuality of all that is true will be exclusively of HIS substance!
Lucifer’s faith went wrong because he did not love GOD. As we’ll see, his every perversion of every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift - given to him in GOD’s faith (and love) for him - came about because he did not love GOD.
Because he did not choose to always reciprocate GOD’s love he failed to see GOD’s blessings in the right perspective.
Because he did not pursue the reality of loving GOD, his thought processes became a growing perversion.
Ultimately, because he did not love GOD he could not see the absolute need for GOD in his life. This chapter is written so that we will clearly understand what was wrong with Lucifer’s great faith?
Lucifer was appointed to very high position. He was called Star Of The Morning and Son Of The Dawn in Isaiah 14:12 b. These are prophetic titles of very high position before GOD. Does this have any parallels for us? Yes it does!
2 Peter 1:19 describes similar prophetic realities being opened to us as sons of GOD: < And so we have the prophetic Word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns (which, tells us that we are in prophetic terms sons of the dawn) and the morning star arises in your hearts (which tells us that we are in prophetic terms morning stars). >
GOD’s faith described and revealed in the prophetic Word has very high purpose for us. And, for this high purpose to come forth, we are to be entirely created and fashioned in the image and fullness of JESUS CHRIST, the Bright Morning Star (see Revelation 22:16; John 1:16-17, KJV/NKJV/NASB and Ephesians 2:10). As we discuss Lucifer’s testament, we will come to understand that conformance to CHRIST JESUS and making ourselves sub- ject to the Lordship of JESUS CHRIST by seeing HIM as our Lord and Husband, are absolutely non-negotiable realities for ever y one of us.
We have to understand this in the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth that unveils in a clear conscience and gives expression to a true faith always subject to the supremacy of GOD MOST HIGH.
And, this realization of HIS necessary preeminence must come about in our hearts, in our own free will. Hence the necessity of understanding by faith - fashioned in truth through the substance of the Master’s fullness - that all things we will achieve in the eternal future, are entirely based on the price JESUS CHRIST paid for us through HIS sacrifice. Our acheivements - in and by and through GOD - will never be because we paid the price! That which comes forth in the faith of GOD is entirely a reality described in grace upon grace, through the fullness of CHRIST JESUS actualized by substance and Witness in our inward parts! When we exercise our wit- ness in substance, we are functioning in a spiritual actuality that is a liv- ing expression of grace upon grace. HIS faith opens to us as grace upon grace for all things realized in truth! The substance is HIS and, the witness is HIS - both freely given to us in HIS love expressed in the finished work of the Cross!
We can never pay the price for the true and faithful Witness, the Beginning of the creation of GOD (see Revelation 3:14 b and Ephesians 2:10), that is described exclusively in Blood, Water and Spirit (see 1 John 5:8; 1 John 5:7-8; 1 John 5:10 a, NKJV. See also John 19:30; John 19:34.). This Witness is entirely and exclusively the Witness of the Cross.
We need to understand this clearly! The prophetic titles of Star Of The Morning and Son Of The Dawn given to Lucifer by GOD, describe a position for Lucifer that was prob- ably foremost amongst the angels. Ezekiel 28:14 a, describes him as the "anointed cherub who covers".
GOD begins Isaiah 14:12, by declaring: < How you have fallen from heaven. > He must have fallen from very, very high position for GOD to make this statement.
And, we must understand why he fell. The following declarations by Lucifer tell us why he fell. Each of these declarations is an expression of a very great faith. But, each of these declarations is also descriptive of a perverted faith form that is entirely false.
Lucifer deceived himself. He developed illusions of grandeur based on a set of self-beliefs that were patently false.
Lucifer came to objectively reject GOD and ultimately even saw himself as an actual replacement for GOD!
Lucifer understood faith as an open-ended reality of potential self- achievement, in which, he could become anything he wanted to be.
Lucifer refused to be governed by GOD’s high plan and purpose for his life. And, this refusal came out of a faith form that believed in himself and, what he could be in and of himself, even as he analyzed "the facts".
[Eve too analyzed "the apple" and "saw" that it was "good"! Adam agreed with the analysis! And in so much of our scholarship we continue to ana- lyze the apple! And in spite of our history, we continue to intelligently proclaim our own brilliance!]
Lucifer objectively decided that he could make for himself a far greater future than anything GOD could possibly give him! Lucifer had analyzed GOD and found GOD wanting!!! So do many ’intelligent people’ in the human race. In Isaiah 14:13, GOD tells us that Lucifer fell in his heart: < But you said in your heart >. The following statements (from Isaiah 14:13-14) are "great and powerful" - but entirely false - faith expressions that Lucifer devel- oped and actualized (as an evidence of his greatness) in his inward parts:
● "I will ascend to heaven". Lucifer was entirely convinced that his destiny was entirely in his hand. He knew this by fact of his faith evidenced in his own understanding of course! He knew that his ascent was entirely in and of himself.
He had absolutely no need for GOD. He did not need GOD’s approval, neither did he need GOD’s provision and guidance.
Lucifer was a law unto himself. Lucifer had birthed and developed a faith form that was a total expression of lawlessness (see Matthew 7:21-23; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12 and Exodus 20:3).
He had developed a reality that was entirely based on what he knew and understood in and of himself.
He rejected the realities that derived from the faith of GOD expressed prophetically over his life.
What he perceived in and of himself was true to him. He didn’t need to be taught by GOD.
● "I will raise my throne above the stars of GOD". Lucifer was entirely convinced that the throne GOD had put him on (see note 6.1) was his own. He was no longer steward, he was entirely convinced he was owner (see note 6.2).
Lucifer was entirely convinced that he had paid the price for his position (see note 6.3) in the heavenly places and therefore he was also entirely entitled to raise his throne to whatever height he could desire and achieve.
Lucifer was entirely convinced - in himself - that he was better than, and superior to, everyone else. He had great ambition backed with a great faith in himself and his destiny.
GOD’s prophetic titles of Star Of The Morning and Son Of The Dawn bestowed by grace upon him were reinterpreted in the knowledge of a faith form developed in his own understanding (see note 6.4).
[Now this is why the Scriptures define understanding as a faith reality that entirely derives from knowing the HOLY ONE (see note 6.5)!
True faith is entirely the product of an intimacy with the HOLY ONE, WHO must be both LORD and BELOVED to us. This is why our high position in the Kingdom Of GOD flows entirely out of a Marriage Covenant Union with the LAMB!]
● "I will sit on the Mount Of Assembly". Lucifer’s thinking was devel oped in such a manner that no sanction by GOD was needed for his position in the Mount Of Assembly. In Ezekiel 28:17, GOD explains the thinking of Lucifer: < Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendour. > In Ezekiel 28:16 b, GOD tells us that ambition had taken its toll on Lucifer: < you were internally filled with violence, and you sinned >.
Ambition and competition always drive out the "shalom" of GOD. Where "shalom" is peace with wellbeing. And this is a state of being that entirely derives from YAHWEH-SHALOM.
● "I will make myself like the MOST HIGH". The final clincher to Lucifer’s faith form is that he is now absolutely convinced that he is now able to make himself like the MOST HIGH! Talk about faith and unshakeable confidence that moves mountains! This fool is now convinced he is able to move GOD out of HIS Sovereign position! Talk about deception! Talk about moving moun tains. Dear Lucy was ready to move the Mountain Of GOD - by faith!!! Incredible!
Lucifer’s faith and belief system was ready to dispute the inherent status of GOD HIMSELF. Using himself as a point of reference, Lucifer was ready to question what made GOD, GOD!
We need to remind ourselves that we have seen small "gods" of sundry shapes and sizes all over human history. And, we’ve even seen them in the institutional Church as well in many different forms through out history.
What do we need to understand from Lucifer’s testimony?
True faith is necessarily always subject to GOD’s will, communicated in HIS faith and love for us.
True faith must find expression in and by and through GOD’s Sovereign Word revealed exclusively in HIS will and purpose! Our faith must always believe that GOD IS and that HE - in HIS absolute Sovereignty - is a rewarder of those who seek HIM. True faith receives from GOD - grace upon grace - in the merits of the LAMB!
Faith must of necessity know that GOD is Supreme. And, faith must always be premised on the absolute supremacy of GOD and on the fact that GOD alone is the Provider and the Justifier.
Faith must always flow in the reality of WHO GOD IS and all THAT GOD IS.
True faith is necessarily defined in the Testimony Of JESUS and must be expressed by us in the Name Of JESUS, through HIS Witness - of Blood, Water and Spirit - made alive in us in fully functional terms by the HOLY SPIRIT.
Only the true and faithful Witness can enable us to function in true faith. Faith simply can never be - and must never be - an open ended reality that the creation utilizes in its own whims and fancies. Faith exercised in an open ended manner will always lead to rebellion. Because faith exer- cised independent of GOD is presumption and rebellion.
Faith has the potentials of being a powerful conduit of an eternal and ever- lasting flow of blessings. However, such a reality of faith stands entirely under a canopy of grace upon grace.
Such a reality of faith will never exist in a "by merit, I am superior" sort of system of thought.
True faith flows in a reality designed by GOD to give true expression to HIS grace. Always remember that by the grace of GOD, our faith in HIM is rewarded in a growing continuity of life eternal. May you be truly blessed as you discover realities that stand in the faith of GOD over your life. May you truly become a blessing as you discover how to flow in the faith of GOD - by the HOLY SPIRIT, in the substance and Witness of the fullness of CHRIST JESUS. AMEN!
Scripture References & Notes - Chapter 6 (6.1) In Ezekiel 28:14 a GOD declares: < And I placed you there >.
(6.2) GOD describes HIMSELF as the sole Owner and Possessor of the creation by calling HIMSELF GOD MOST HIGH - EL ELYON. See Genesis 14:18-19.
(6.3) The word price always implies actual ownership once the price is paid. In GOD’s universe we can only be stewards of HIS riches. HE is by Name - YHWH ELYON - always the Owner and Possessor of the universe.
(6.4) True faith understands in a knowing that is of the HOLY ONE - a knowledge form that derives entirely from the MOST HIGH. See Hebrews 11:3 a; Proverbs 9:10 a and, Isaiah 53:11 b.
(6.5) You can see this by combining Hebrews 11:3 a with Proverbs 9:10 b.