The first recorded citation of “The God complex” can be attributed to Ernest Jones’ 1913 publication of Volume II of the Essays in Applied Psychoanalysis. In this Mr. Jones describes the God complex as belief that one is God. However, this God complex did not necessarily have its genesis in the early part of the 1900s, but it can be dated back to the time in the garden of Eden, when man was first created, and furthermore even to the very creation of God’s angels, before the creation of man. The God complex has its roots in prideful heart of Lucifer, one of God’s created angel, who set his heart as the heart of God (Ezekiel 28:6) and said in his heart, “I will be like the Most High” (Isaiah 14:12-14). In other words, Lucifer purposed in his heart and said “I shall be as God.” for which he was kicked out of heaven, from the presence of the Lord Most High and falling from God’s presence in heaven (Isaiah 14:12), he was brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit (Isaiah 14:15). He was there in the garden of Eden (Ezekiel 28:13) where God placed the man he had created in his own image (Genesis 1:27), whom God crowned with with glory and honor (Psalm 8:5).
Having been exiled from the presence of the Lord Most High, Lucifer, the wise and perfect creation of God (Ezekiel 28:12) becomes the adversary (Satan) of God. From his very own experience, he knew that the one who tries to elevate himself or herself to be God, will be banished from God’s presence. With this knowledge, Lucifer (the deceiving ancient serpent) beguiles Eve, by appealing to her God complex. She like Adam was made perfect in the image of God, but was not God, and when she caved to the temptation of the God complex, both Adam and Eve had to face the same consequences, as that of Lucifer – banishment from God’s presence.
Points to ponder:
No one can be God except God himself. We are commanded to be perfect (Holy) as God is; that is, we need to become like God, but not God. In other words, we need to be made perfect, which comes solely by believing in Jesus, God’s Only begotten Son, for when we believe in Jesus, Jesus’ (God’s) righteousness is credited (imputed) on us.
Though the lie of the God complex [“Ye shall be as gods”], began in heaven, it is still prevalent today. Today, it comes from the very pit of hell from the evil one and so we must not succumb to it as have many world religions and sects – hinduism (The Bhagavad Gita alludes to the notion that the atman (soul) of a person and the Brahman (the essence of God) are one and the same), mormonism (who leaders Snow said in 1840 – “As man is, God once was; as God is, man may become.”), etc.. The only way we can be restored into the image (or likeness) of God is by believing in Jesus, and not elevating our hearts with an abominable pride, as the adversary did.
On a side note, if you notice the words of the devil as he was tricking Eve, you will find that he said, “Ye shall be as gods” – gods, here implying Elohim (which is in the plural). “The Lord our God is One LORD (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29). Given the devil was referring to God as Elohim, when he said “gods”, he was inadvertently testifying to the Trinity of God, with the difference being that God is One God in three persons (Father, Son and Holy Ghost) and not three gods as one.
Genesis 3:5 (KJV)
5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
Isaiah 14:12-15 (KJV)
12 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!
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
