The 5 "I Wills" of Satan: Understanding Pride and the Danger of Self-Exaltation

lorijanehawkins
May 22, 2021
5 min read

Updated: May 13

***"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." - Proverbs 16:18***

Have you ever wondered what caused Lucifer, once the most beautiful angel, to fall from heaven? Or perhaps you've struggled with pride in your own life and want to understand its spiritual roots? This post examines the dangerous progression of pride through Satan's own words and offers biblical guidance for cultivating humility instead.

The Origin of Pride: Lucifer's Desire to Be God

Scripture clearly reveals that pride and idolatry were the original sins of Satan. In the book of Isaiah, we find a profound revelation about Lucifer's downfall through his own proclamation of five ambitious statements, each beginning with "I will." These declarations expose the heart of pride that led to his fall from heaven.

The 5 "I Wills" That Led to Lucifer's Fall:

"I will ascend into heaven" - Seeking to rise above his assigned position
"I will exalt my throne above the stars of God" - Desiring authority over other angelic beings
"I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north" - Attempting to take God's place of rulership
"I will ascend above the heights of the clouds" - Pursuing divine glory for himself
"I will be like the most High" - The ultimate expression of pride: wanting to be God

Each statement reveals a progressive path of rebellion, moving from dissatisfaction with his position to the ultimate desire to replace God Himself. Notice how each declaration builds upon the previous one, showing how unchecked pride grows increasingly dangerous.

"How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!" - Isaiah 14:12

Understanding Isaiah 14: The King of Babylon and Satan's Fall

Isaiah 14 presents a powerful prophecy against the king of Babylon. In verses 9-21, the prophet describes the king's death and entrance into the realm of the dead. There, the dead mock him as his grand aspirations are reduced to nothing—he is now equal to everyone who came before him (Isaiah 14:10-11).

The prophecy reveals how this once-powerful ruler has become weak, dethroned, and powerless. All his great ambitions have come to nothing (Isaiah 14:19-21). At the center of this sobering taunt lies the exposure of the king's enormous pride:

"You said in your heart, 'I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.' But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit." - Isaiah 14:13-15

The Dual Application: From Babylon's King to Satan's Rebellion

While these verses directly address the king of Babylon, many biblical scholars and early church fathers recognized a secondary reference to Satan's fall from heaven (Luke 10:18). This interpretation formed the basis for John Milton's famous portrayal of the confrontation between Satan and God in "Paradise Lost."

In this dual application, the statement "I will make myself like the Most High" represents Satan's ambitious attempt to overthrow God. What made Satan's desire to emulate God a sin?

The Sin of Wanting to Be "Like the Most High"

In the context of Isaiah 14, being "like the Most High" doesn't refer to emulating God's character or moral attributes. Rather, Isaiah 14:12-15 describes an attempted coup—a desire to surpass God Himself.

Verses 13-14 contain ancient Near Eastern images of divine dominance and power: stars, mountains, and clouds. The speaker aims to do more than simply mirror God's goodness; He desires to be God, ruling the universe with unopposed might.

The Crucial Distinction:

Godly desire: Wanting to be like God in holiness and righteousness is not evil but encouraged (Ephesians 5:1-2)
Sinful desire: Craving God's power and authority for oneself stems from depravity (Proverbs 16:5)

Why Satan's Rebellion Is Ultimately Futile

God is incomparable (Psalm 145:3), making any attempt to surpass Him irrational. As the only true God, it's illogical for any creature to attempt to become its Creator. Such ambition can only arise from a warped, prideful sense of self-importance.

Selfishness, envy, and pride drive rebellion against our perfect Creator. Satan's attempt to be "like the Most High" in glory and power was sinful precisely because it was a pointless endeavor fueled by overweening ambition and pride.

God's Unmatched Sovereignty

Thankfully, Satan's rebellion against God remains futile. God continues to reign enthroned over the cosmos (Isaiah 40:12-31). Satan cannot compare to God because God is incomparably exceptional:

God has no equal (1 Chronicles 29:11)
His power is unmatched (2 Timothy 1:7)
He created all things (Colossians 1:16)
He protects His children (1 John 5:18-19)

God's power has no rival, and He has no equal. He is the perfect King who governs the universe with righteousness and love (Mark 10:18; Isaiah 28:28; Romans 11:33; Psalm 100:5; 1 John 4:8).

The Ultimate Defeat of Pride

Satan's plans have already been defeated, and he will face eternal consequences for his rebellion:

Christ has overcome him (John 12:31; 16:11)
The cross triumphed over him (Colossians 2:15)
His power over death is broken (Hebrews 2:14)
His final judgment is certain (Revelation 20:10)

"This is what the Lord says—Israel's King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God." - Isaiah 44:6

Applying This Truth Today

Pride continues to be the root of many sins in our lives. When we exalt ourselves, seek our own glory, or attempt to control what only God should control, we fall into the same trap as Satan.

The Essential Role of Repentance

True freedom from pride begins with genuine repentance. Unlike Satan who refused to repent of his pride, we have the opportunity to turn from our sin and receive forgiveness.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9

Repentance involves:

Acknowledging our pride - Recognizing when we've placed ourselves above God
Confessing it specifically - Naming our prideful attitudes and actions before God
Turning away from it - Making a deliberate choice to walk in humility
Accepting God's forgiveness - Embracing His grace that restores our relationship with Him

How to Guard Against Pride:

Practice humility - Recognize your dependence on God
Serve others - Follow Christ's example of selfless service
Give God glory - Acknowledge Him as the source of all good things
Submit to God's authority - Trust His perfect wisdom and plan
Confess pride quickly - Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's conviction
Seek accountability - Allow trusted believers to speak truth into your life

The Contrast: Jesus' "Not My Will" vs. Satan's "I Will"

While Satan's fall demonstrates the destructive nature of pride through his five "I wills," Jesus Christ provides the perfect counterexample. In the Garden of Gethsemane, facing the ultimate sacrifice, Jesus prayed:

"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." - Luke 22:42

This profound contrast reveals two opposite spiritual paths:

Christ's example of perfect submission to the Father's will provides our model for overcoming pride in our own lives.

Conclusion: The Path of Humility

While Satan proclaimed his "five I wills" in rebellion, Christ demonstrated the opposite spirit in the garden of Gethsemane when He prayed, "Not my will, but yours be done" (Luke 22:42). This contrast shows us the path to true greatness—humility before God.