Many of us may remember an old Flip Wilson TV comedy series that often had a segment about a woman (Wilson) who typically was discovered in a lie or behavior that wasn’t positive. The catch phrase when confronted with the patent behavior or words was… ‘the devil made me do it…’ Really! If this actually was true then it would be a terrible situation… being at the whim of the devil. I remember that when I watched the segment I was vaguely uncomfortable. I never did find it amusing. And I quit watching the program. However, the phrase has passed into comedic lore. Does the mindset?
Would you, when caught in this obvious and uncomfortable position, choose to lie… again? Or maybe act flabbergasted that anyone would believe or think you meant (fill in the blank)? Or maybe you would attempt to diffuse your complicity? Or perhaps… use a phrase not dissimilar to this one? I wonder… what exactly is your belief about ‘the devil made (you) do it’? Does he have this kind of power over you? Have you given him permission to direct your actions/words? And if the answer to this last question is ‘yes’ – why? And if ‘no’ – then why use the phrase?
Never forget that the devil doesn’t have the power to MAKE you do anything. He can ‘whisper’ in your ear and try to persuade you. The only way he knows if he’s been successful is when he sees your actions or hears your words. But ‘make you’ – absolutely not! So why would anyone attempt to use this type of excuse? Partially because when we are ‘caught’ in (fill in the blank) we always try to extricate ourselves from the predicament. Most people do not immediately accept their responsibility and seek forgiveness so that all can move on. And it appears that humor is misused in these instances.
This phrase actually speaks more to our character – to our attitude and mindset when we do those ‘things’ that we know, in advance, that we shouldn’t. We can always choose to control ourselves rather than self-indulge. And no, we don’t always choose how we should be. Since most of the time we are eventual ‘caught’ this should be warning enough. Bottom line – we are responsible. It is always our choice. Our God is certainly far stronger than the devil, and He doesn’t control us this way… why would He allow the devil to do so? No… the devil never makes you do anything that you don’t choose to do.
