Bible: No, the devil did not make you do it!

Geraldine was a comedic character invented by Flip Wilson. Frequent appearances on TV in the sixties and seventies TV popularized her famous laugh line, “The devil made me do it.” I remember using this line in everyday conversations for years.

The line brought laughs because Geraldine was an older “Church Lady” and her facial expressions conveyed guilt. It was a sly acknowledgment that she knew it was wrong, but she was not responsible. Clearly she had enjoyed the transgression, but don’t blame her!

James 3:15 says that rationalizing our failures with false arguments is “...earthly, natural, demonic.” (2) These are the three separate sources that tempt us to do wrong:

* Worldly values (to get for ourselves what our culture esteems)

* Carnal values (to get what we as creatures want)

* Demonic prompting.

The emphasis is on temptation. Not on our choices. After a sin, as we repent, it would be good to identify the source of the tempting. The devil is not omnipresent, but God is.

My prayer today:

Father God, help me take responsibility for my actions. My ‘big’

sins have outward consequences of their own, but many of my private ones -- especially the ones that take place only in my mind or heart – are invisible to others. But not to me, and not to you. Let your spirit bring conviction and repentance for my impatience, animosities, irritations, and the like. Even if I think no one will notice them. Except you, of course.

(1) Whether an individual has “free will” is a huge philosophical and theological debate. Let’s just accept that we ourselves can make decisions.

(2) John MacArthur, “Commentary on James,” Moody Press,1998

10/2/2024