Pride as the foundation of Power Struggle
1. Leadership in Heaven: The Center of Perfection
The first leadership struggle did not begin on earth, but in heaven — the center of perfection. God created myriads of angels, each with their glory, rank, and role, according to His divine investment in them. Since leadership is a necessary part of any society—whether of animals, humans, or spirits—God arranged the angels in ranks, giving them order and structure.
Among these exalted beings were Michael and Satan, both highly placed and influential. Satan stood as one of the most regarded of God’s creatures, honored with splendor and authority.
2. The Rise of Pride
But as Christian anthropology observes in human society, so it was in heaven: one who is made can rise to defy the very One who made him. Satan did this to God.
The origin of his rebellion was pride.
- Pride is the over-estimation of one’s self-worth, potential, and endowment.
- In contrast, inferiority complex is the under-estimation of one’s worth and capabilities.
Satan fell into the trap of pride. He thought he had gathered enough capacity to act as God, to rival His authority, and to demand that things be done in his own way. Though he was highly exalted among angels, he remained a servant under God’s command. This limitation of subordination became intolerable to him.
3. The Threefold Tendencies of Pride
Satan’s downfall reveals that pride has a threefold pattern:
- Haughtiness – an inflated self-assessment.
- Satan began to think of himself as God’s equal.
- Discontentment – dissatisfaction with one’s divinely appointed position.
- He became restless under God’s rule, no longer content with his high but subordinate status.
- Rebellion – mobilizing others to share in the pride and discontent.
- He recruited fellow angels by planting in them the same exaggerated self-view and bitterness he carried. Through his influence, he spread dissatisfaction, convincing them they were “robbed” of higher roles.
This final stage birthed open rebellion against God’s authority.
4. The Anthropology of Power Struggle
Satan’s example shows that power struggle (usurpation) is inherently tied to pride.
- Pride always begins internally, in haughtiness.
- It then moves into discontentment.
- Finally, it manifests in backstabbing and usurpation, the attempt to overthrow one’s superior.
It is important to note: in heaven there was no sexual immorality, no theft, no murder — but pride existed and expressed itself. Pride was the first sin to break perfection, the seed of all leadership struggles.
As Jesus later observed, “Where the carcass is, there the vultures will gather” (Matthew 24:28). In the same way, where leadership exists, the temptation of pride and usurpation will always be close at hand.