Its usually a relatively harmless or funny story that ends with the devil made me do it.
Something you couldnt resist like sneaking the last slice of chocolate cake from the fridge, picking wild flowers in a nature reserve, or speeding up – just a little – when another driver is overtaking you. Mostly though, we are not serious when we say this. We are only too aware that we decided to do it all by ourselves. We didnt need the devils assistance.
So what kind of a role does the devil play? Is he just having fun waiting around to see where he can trip us up, or is he furious because he knows he is a defeated enemy whose days are numbered?
Scripture gives us a great deal of insight as to the operations of the Evil One as Jesus called him (Matthew 11:6 NKJ). Satan is a fallen angel who heads the evil forces in the spirit realm. He has a number of titles; Father of lies, Murderer, Adversary, Accuser of the Brethren, god of this world.
Liar
When the disciples asked Jesus when the great end time events would happen and what would be the sign of his coming, it seems like he didnt quite answer their question. He warned them not to be deceived because there would be false prophets, false Christs, etc. He was far more concerned about them being led away from the truth, than about the time of his return. Lies are often subtle, just casting a little doubt here and there, asking a question, suggesting an alternative, leading someone astray and undermining faith in God. The first recorded lie Did God really say? (Genesis 3:1) had a catastrophic effect on human history.
Was Judas Iscariot deceived into thinking that Jesus should be a conquering king, destined to release the Jews from bondage to the Roman Empire? At what point did he decide to betray Jesus? We dont know precisely what inspired Judas to change his ideas, but Scripture tells us that Satan actually entered into him after the Last Supper (John 13:27).
Paul warns the Corinthian church how Satan masquerades as an angel of light, preaching another Jesus, a different gospel. Hes exasperated with them for allowing some false apostles to turn their minds and hearts away from pure gospel of Christ to observing the law. He pleads with the Colossians not to be taken captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy. He urges Timothy, a fellow preacher and his true son in the faith to guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in doing so, have wandered from the faith (1Timothy 6:20, 21). Satan told the first lie, but he will not have the last word. His days are numbered.
Murderer
Jesus also said Satan was a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44). He inspired Cain to murder his brother Abel, and he has inspired every murder and act of violence since then. Crucifixion is one of the many tortuous methods of inflicting excruciating pain, suffering and death on its victims. The Roman soldiers did the deed, but where did the idea come from? Surely from the evil one!
Satan is also the self appointed Adversary of the Christian Church and the Accuser of the Brethren. He tried to get rid of Jesus shortly after he was born, and tempted him in every way possible during his life on earth, but to no avail. He only succeeded at the crucifixion, which God allowed for fulfilment of his salvation plan. And the good news is that we have complete victory over the god of this world. Sometimes this doesnt seem real to us. We are stuck in our old ways of thinking, and we forget that Jesus overcame the enemy on our behalf when he offered himself a sacrifice for all sin at all times. I must admit that when I look at whats going on around me, Im tempted to feel depressed and disheartened. But our feelings are not necessarily truth.
It can be scary to realize how the devil influences people to do despicable things. Just recently we were shocked to learn on a local TV progamme that there were certain churches right here in our own country whose pastors did church on Sundays and sold drugs Monday to Saturday! When asked to explain, one of them simply said, Church is about God, drug sales are about business. Whose business? Well, the god of this world surely.
In fact, there is even a church of Satan. A spokesman for the group maintained they distanced themselves from such things as murder or bloodletting of any kind, but strangely enough one of their followers just happened to brutally murder five members of his family.
Be aware of his tactics
Please understand, the purpose of this article is not to put fear into the hearts of Christians. We absolutely do not have to fear this enemy, as he is defeated already, and after Christs return his influence in the earth will cease and his complete defeat will be obvious. But we should be aware of his tactics and the sway he holds over humanity by manipulation and deceit. The spiritual armour we need is freely given when we ask, and we are guided by the Holy Spirit so we will not fall into the devils trap. And how do we resist Satan? Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.. Come near to God and he will come near to you (James 4:7-8). We can rest and rejoice in our relationship with the Triune God, and have total confidence in the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Looking at newscasts, reading newspapers and magazines and even personal experiences can give the false impression that the devil is winning. He knows hes lost the battle, and he is furiously trying to do his worst before his banishment from the world (Revelation 12:12). He is at present, the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient (Ephesians 2:2).
Did he really make us do it? We may have given in to the temptation he put before us, but any sin is our own choice. The Apostle James makes it clear that we are tempted and enticed by our own evil desires. (James 1:14). We have all done so in the past and we may still do so in the future, but every sin, past, present and future has been forgiven. We have been drawn into an intimate relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Knowing this, we long to share the good news with all humanity that we have total victory in Jesus our Saviour. He has paid the price, sealed the deal and we are free.
The truth has made us free!