The Devil Made Me Do It

Take a moment and watch the video above. It is a short clip starring the comedian, Flip Wilson, who had his own show in the 70's. I always looked forward to watching his show but especially his skits "The Devil Made Me Do It (sin)." The video is appropriate for this blog, plus it gives us a moment to pause and laugh. After you view this 2 minute 44 second video please read the blog below.

How often after committing a sin have you used the excuse "the devil made me do it." Today I am asking, Does the devil make us sin? Let's look at some scriptures. When Eve succumbed to Satan’s ploy (Genesis 3:1-6), he played a role in her choices, but she had some faulty thinking about temptation and sin. The devil tempts us, but he doesn’t make us sin. We so often blame Satan for our bad choices but in reality, the Bible shows us he actually has no power over us! His power was crushed at the cross. Satan has been defeated! Colossians 2:14–15 describes what God did for those who trust his Son, when He died on the cross: “The record of debt that stood against us He set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.” AMEN! When Christ died for our sins, Satan was disarmed and defeated. The one eternally destructive weapon that he had was stripped from his hand, namely, his accusation before God that we are guilty and should perish with him. When Christ died that accusation was nullified. All those who entrust themselves to Christ will never perish. Satan cannot separate them from the love of God in Christ (Romans 8:37–39). Though Flip Wilson said, "The Devil Made Me Do It," in reality, the choices we make are totally on us.

James tells us that God isn’t to blame either: “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone” (James 1:13). Satan is a roaring lion, prowling and seeking to devour. Peter says, “Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world” (1 Peter 5:8–9). In other words, “suffering” is the way Satan is trying to devour God's believers. But Peter says in 1 Peter 3:17, “It is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.” If God should will it so. This suffering, these jaws of the prowling lion, are opened and closed only according to God’s will. So who is to blame when we sin? Satan is the great tempter. He wants us to sin. Luke tells us that Satan was behind Peter’s three denials. He tempted him to deny Jesus. But could he do that without God’s permission? Listen to what Jesus says to Simon Peter in Luke 22:31–32: “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Satan could not do what he wished with Peter without God’s permission. And when he had it, just like with Job, God had set him a boundary: “You will not destroy Peter. You will only make him stumble tonight.” This is why Jesus says, “When you have turned again (not if you turn) strengthen your brothers.” Jesus, not Satan, has the upper hand here. And Satan is allowed to go so far and no farther. The Bible makes it clear that we are NEVER tempted beyond what we are able to bear (1 Corinthians 10:13). Temptations are trials, and though we may not like them, they are intended to make us stronger! Temptation is a lure to sin (and from Satan). God doesn’t do that, but He does test. Remember, sin is anti-God. Therefore, God will never lead someone to sin; doing so goes against His very nature.
However, He will test believers by putting them through difficult training that will both strengthen them and reveal their current conditions (like a refiner’s fire).

James tells us, “Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed” (James 1:14). Just as a fisherman uses bait to lure his prey, our unchecked desires lead us to giving in to temptation and sin. When we disobey God by sinning (1 John 3:4; Romans 3:23), let's not shift the blame or try to justify our actions with any faulty “the devil made me do it” theology. Instead, let us take full responsibility for our actions (2 Samuel 24:10), confess our sins to a gracious and forgiving Father (1 John 1:9; Psalm 32:5), and then pursue godly living again (1 Timothy 4:8; 1 Timothy 6:1-6).
Eight things to do with evil:
1. Expect evil. “Do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12).

2. Endure evil. “Love bears all thing, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13:7; see also Mark 13:13).

3. Give thanks for the refining effect of evil that comes against you. “Give thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20; see also 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Romans 5:3–5).

4. Hate evil. “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good” (Romans 12:9).

5. Pray for escape from evil. “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13).

6. Expose evil. “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them” (Ephesians 5:11).

7. Overcome evil with good. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).

Finally, Resist evil. “Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). Are you being tempted? Remember that God is not tempting you and He always provides a way out! Are you in a trial? Remember that God is allowing this for your good. You will come through this and you will be all the stronger for having resisted! Never doubt that God is totally for you in Christ. If you trust Him with your life, you are IN Christ. Never doubt that all the evil that befalls you — even if it takes your life — is God’s loving, purifying, saving, fatherly discipline. It is not an expression of His punishment in wrath. That fell on Jesus Christ our substitute! “The Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives” (Hebrews 12:6).
Until next time,
-Pat-