The Devil Made Me Do It!

The Devil Made Me Do It

Genesis 3:1-7

            In the 1970’s one of the hottest stars on television was Flip Wilson.  Originally a stand-up comic, Wilson developed characters and routines that resonated with people.  In 1972, Time magazine called Wilson “TV’s first black superstar,” in an issue that featured him on the cover.

            One of his most endearing characters was a sassy young black woman named Geraldine.  She spoke often of her boyfriend, “Killer,” and was fond of saying, when caught doing something she shouldn’t, “The devil made me do it!”  It was a good routine, and a good line, one you would think should get anyone off the hook in a pinch.  After all, Satan is a powerful persona.  Shouldn’t we be able to claim satanic influence when we go astray?  Was Flip Wilson/Geraldine on to something?

            Unfortunately, no!  It’s not a good defense, either in a court of law or in God’s court.  The devil may be powerful, but we must understand where his power comes from.

            Everything was going along fine in the Garden of Eden.  God had created the perfect setting for two people.  There were beautiful flowers.  There were peaceful animals to watch as they played.  Everything had been thought of for the comfort and pleasure of Adam and Eve.  What could go wrong?

            According to John Milton (Paradise Lost), Satan was still smarting from his demotion.  Until he led an angelic rebellion against the Almighty (sounds like a fool’s errand, doesn’t it?) he had been Lucifer, chief of all angels.  Now he languished in hell, surrounded by those who had rebelled with him, living in the gloom of the netherworld cut off from God’s presence, and changed from the angel of light to the prince of darkness.  With the creation of the cosmos and humanity Satan saw his chance to get even.

            God had given one instruction to the first couple:  Do not eat the fruit of the tree in the center of the garden.  Catching Eve unawares one day, Satan played on her ego, convincing her that, rather than death, the fruit would bring wisdom.  He didn’t make her eat the fruit.  He couldn’t force it down her throat.  He could only suggest the possibility that the consequence of eating that fruit would not be negative, but positive.  She made the decision to pluck the fruit and take a bite.

            This is Satan’s power:  the power of suggestion.  That’s the only weapon he has, and he wields it well.  No one makes suggestions that sound as convincing as the ones he makes.  He’s a master.  But Satan can’t make us do anything!

            In his first epistle, Peter (5:8) tells his readers:  “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”  Sounds pretty terrible—but Satan can’t devour anyone without that person’s permission.  If we spend time in lion country we’re likely to get eaten.  Of course, Satan is a lion impossible to stay away from.  He doesn’t stay in his territory; he’s constantly invading ours.  Still, he has no power over us except that which we give him.

            Had Eve remembered God’s command rather than yielding to her ego, humanity might still be living in paradise; but it wasn’t to be.  We have a chance to rectify the situation, and perhaps to move a little closer to paradise in our own lives.  When temptation comes, first remember that God’s power outstrips Satan’s power—always and all ways!  God can give us the strength to resist temptation.  All we have to do is:

            Step 1—remember the devil can’t make us do it.

            Step 2—rely on God’s strength to resist and not our own.