In Exodus 8, God brings forth plagues of frogs, gnats, and flies as direct attacks against their false gods. The magicians mimic the first two plagues but only God has the power to stop the plagues. The magicians were unable to mimic the 3rd plague and even they cried out to Pharaoh saying "This is the finger of God!" - even the magicians get it and realize who God is and that He is present. Pharaoh still refused to listen and hardened his heart. After the 4th plague, he is starting to learn who God is in part but tries to bargain and compromise with God showing his pride and his desire to have power and authority over God. Sin does much the same. It tries to get us to compromise with God by worshiping God yet staying in worldly sin.