Words of Worth

The Devil Made Me Do It

October 4, 2015

Do you remember the fictional, sassy Southern woman, “Geraldine”, played by comedian, Flip Wilson? She was somewhat flirtatious yet faithful to her unseen boyfriend, “Killer”. She was also known for several catchphrases, especially, “The devil made me do it.”

Click on the link below to see Geraldine in action.

Geraldine reminds me of myself. No, I’m not Southern and I don’t have a boyfriend named “Killer” but I do often “blame” and “claim”.  I blame the devil for the sins I commit, and when I’m not blaming him, I’m claiming, “I can’t help myself.”

However, in the New Testament letter, written by James, we learn how sin works in our lives:

13Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. 16Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.

(James 1:13-16)

So, I can’t blame the devil or God when I give into temptation, but I can blame myself.  James clearly states that when I get carried away and enticed (seduced) by my OWN lust (an over desire).  Someone once said, “It is not that we want bad things. It’s that we want things so badly.” It is not wrong to long, but it is wrong to long for something or someone other than God to give us our worth.  It’s okay to long for a job, but if it becomes our self-worth, then it is an over-desire, a fatal attraction, a seduction, and spiritual adultery.

Repeatedly in Scripture, God declares that He is the husband of His people.  But when His people turn to other gods and idols to be what only God was meant to be, then we commit spiritual adultery and in essence, sin.

The devil certainly didn’t make me do any of the sins I have committed, but I committed because I wanted to commit.  I wanted something more than I wanted God.

A Scottish preacher, whose name I do not know, once said that the way to break the grip of sin in our lives is more than simply saying, “No!” He said, “The only way to break the hold of a beautiful object on the soul is to show it something more beautiful.”

More beautiful than any temptation to commit spiritual adultery with false gods, is to behold the most beautiful Husband, to behold Jesus!

31For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. 32 This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.

Ephesians 5:31-32