“On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. They shouted, “This is THE VOICE OF A GOD, NOT OF A MAN.” Immediately, because Herod DID NOT GIVE PRAISE TO GOD, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.” (Acts 12:21-23) Herod met with the people of Tyre and Sidon in what we now call Lebanon. These people were dependent upon Judea, and especially upon Galilee, for food. So when the king came out, dressed in his royal robes, they flattered him. When he spoke to them they cried out, “Why, this is a voice of a god, and not a man!” And this pompous, vain king believed them. It is almost incredible — the tragic, twisted mentality of a man like this, who could actually believe that he had so much power that he had become a god.
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Prov. 16:18) James teaches us the seriousness of a prideful heart, “God gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God 1OPPOSES the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Submit yourselves, then, to God.” (James 4:6-8) 1antitassomai: to range in battle against, to oppose. Remember the commandments, “You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not bow down to them or worship them…” (Exo. 20:3-5)
Why is it this way? Because Satan, “…is the god of this world and has blinded the minds of the unbeliever…” (2 Corin. 4:3-4) Satan tempts us to believe that we do not need God that we can do everything without Him, we are self-sufficient. “Trust in the LORD with ALL your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek God’s will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.” (Prov. 3:5-6)
-Bill Stockham