What does "I am a god" reveal about the heart's deception? Backdrop: The Statement “I am a God” Ezekiel 28:2: “Son of man, tell the ruler of Tyre that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Your heart is proud, and you have said, “I am a god; I sit on the throne of a god in the heart of the seas.” Yet you are a man and not a god—though you have regarded your heart as that of a god.’” Heart Condition Exposed The proud confession uncovers three inner realities: • Self-exaltation—placing oneself above the Creator (Isaiah 14:13-14). • Self-sufficiency—believing one’s wisdom, power, or wealth sustains life (Deuteronomy 8:17). • Self-deception—mistaking God’s patience for permission (Ecclesiastes 8:11). Hallmarks of a Deceived Heart 1. Forgets creatureliness – “Yet you are a man and not a god” (Ezekiel 28:2). 2. Reimagines boundaries – “You have said in your heart…” (Isaiah 14:13). 3. Repels accountability – “No fear of God before their eyes” (Romans 3:18). 4. Relabels sin as freedom – “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie” (Romans 1:25). Costly Consequences • Loss of divine protection (Ezekiel 28:7-8). • Public exposure—God humbles the proud (Proverbs 16:18; Acts 12:22-23). • Eternal ruin if unrepentant (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, 8). Gospel Antidote to Self-Deification • Behold Christ’s humility: “He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death” (Philippians 2:8). • Receive new hearts that know Him (Ezekiel 36:26). • Submit to His lordship: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). Personal Application – Ask God to reveal hidden pride (Psalm 139:23-24). – Daily confess dependence: “Apart from Me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5). – Redirect acclaim to Him: “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name be the glory” (Psalm 115:1). |
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