The Devil Made Me Do It

​Back in the 70’s (I know I’m showing my age) comedian Flip Wilson created a skit whose signature phrase was “The devil made me do it.”  As America laughed, something unexpected happened.  This phrase began to show up on the lips of many Americans, as if Flip finally helped all to understand, why they do what they do.  What made this scenario so interesting is everyone who bought into this felt  absolved from their sin, because the devil “MADE” them do it.  No doubt they are giving the devil much too much credit, because if he could make them sin, then God could make all men do the opposite. The truth is, the devil doesn’t make anyone sin.
 
As James puts it in James 1:14-15, “Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”  The process of sin is not in the hands of the devil, but in the heart of man.  It’s our evil desire that entices us; and our desire which gives birth to sin which leads to spiritual death (and in some cases actual physical death).  I realize there exists a multitude whose desire is for Flip Wilson to be right, but the truth is, the evil of our own hearts is the real reason that Satan can do with us what he does.  We all carry something within us that in a moment, given the right circumstances, can drag us away, and that is why the Apostle Paul warned all to put on the whole armor of God DAILY, so that we can stand against the wiles of the devil. Don’t buy into the hype, the Devil doesn’t make us do anything. 
 
Blessings!
 
Lamar