The Spirit of Rebellion and the Call to Humility in Yeshua

From the beginning of creation to the end of days, one spirit has been at work in the world, the spirit of rebellion. It is not merely outward resistance but a rebellion of the heart, the human desire to decide for oneself what is good and what is evil, to be “like Elohim” (Genesis 3:5). It is the same spirit that moved in Heylel ben Shachar (Lucifer), who said: “I will ascend into heaven… I will be like the Most High” (Isaiah 14:13–14). This pride gave birth to all human rebellion that followed.

In the Garden of Eden, the serpent persuaded Chavah (Eve) to choose moral independence, but the result was separation from Elohim. Since then, every sin is an act of rebellion, a refusal to submit to the will of the Creator. This spirit appears throughout the history of Israel:

• Korach, Dathan, and Aviram rebelled against Moshe and Aharon, saying, “All the congregation are holy” (Numbers 16:3)

• The people in the wilderness longed “to return to Egypt” (Numbers 14:4)

• Avshalom rose up against his father David (2 Samuel 15–18)

• Yerov’am son of Nevat made golden calves (1 Kings 12:28)

In each case, one spirit stands behind it, pride of heart and rejection of divine authority in the name of “justice” or “freedom.”

In the Brit Chadashah (New Covenant), that same spirit of rebellion appears in a spiritual disguise. Yeshua warns the congregations in Revelation: “You have those who hold to the teaching of Balaam… and also the teaching of the Nicolaitans” (Revelation 2:14–15). Both doctrines represented moral compromise under the mask of grace, a mixture of outward faith with inward sin. It was rebellion clothed in religion.

Later, the spirit of anti-Mashiach appears, “every spirit that does not confess that Yeshua the Messiah has come in the flesh” (1 John 4:3). It places man at the center instead of Elohim. In the end times, it will reach its peak in “the man of lawlessness… who exalts himself above all that is called God” (2 Thessalonians 2:3–4), a symbol of ultimate defiance and worldwide rebellion against the Almighty.

Yet the true battle lies within every human heart. Rav Sha’ul (Paul) writes: “The mind of the flesh is enmity against God; it does not submit to the Torah of God, nor can it” (Romans 8:7). The flesh resists the Ruach, and the only path to victory is surrender. Yeshua the Messiah showed the opposite spirit: “Though being in the form of God… He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a stake” (Philippians 2:6–8). His humility broke the power of rebellion and restored humanity to grace through the Brit Chadashah.

Ya’akov (James) teaches: “Submit yourselves to God. Resist the adversary, and he will flee from you; draw near to God, and He will draw near to you” (James 4:7–8). Submission to Elohim is not weakness, it is victory over pride. When a person yields to the Ruach HaKodesh, they are freed from inner rebellion and return to harmony with their Creator.

Yet the spirit of rebellion is also seen against the leaders Elohim has appointed. The Torah warns us: “Has Adonai indeed spoken only by Moshe? Has He not spoken also by us?” said Miriam, and she was struck with tzara’at (Numbers 12:2–10). Sha’ul also teaches: “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God” (Romans 13:1). To rebel against the leaders Elohim has set in place is, in truth, to rebel against Him. Korach claimed to fight for “justice,” yet opposed a divine calling.

Even today, this same spirit seeks to undermine every form of authority Elohim has ordained, in the family, the congregation, and society. In the end, the spirit of rebellion says: “I will decide.” But the Ruach HaKodesh says: “Let the will of Elohim be done.” Each day we are given the choice to walk in pride or in humility.

“Choose this day whom you will serve… but as for me and my house,

we will serve Adonai.” (Joshua 24:15)