Did sin start with the devil or Adam?

on Aug 3, 2026

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: Did sin start with the devil or Adam? – S.B.

A: The Bible tells us that sin did not originate with man but with the angel known as Lucifer. This was no ordinary angel, described by the Prophet Ezekiel:

“You were the anointed cherub … . You were on the holy mountain of God … . You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created until unrighteousness was found in you’” (Ezekiel 28:14–15, NASB ).

This is a glimpse of where sin started. In some unknown past, sin was found in the heart of this magnificent creature of Heaven. The Prophet Isaiah gives us another [insight] to this origin of evil, seen in the ‘I wills” of this fallen angel.

“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit” (Isaiah 14:12–15, NKJV).

There’s the picture. Lucifer’s sin was that of the five “I wills.” He fell and became Satan because of his extreme ambition. He wanted to be like God! He wanted to be equal to God. This was conceit in its strongest form [of pride].

The New Testament gives us a glimpse of the sin of pride when it speaks of any person who is being lifted “up with pride [falls] into the same condemnation of the devil” (1 Timothy 3:6, NKJV).

Satan is the commander in deceit, the ringleader of rebellion. And Satan wants to destroy you. The Bible says, “Do not give the devil a foothold” (Ephesians 4:27, NIV).

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)