.
From The Pastor’s Desk
.
Bishop
Randy Barnett, Oklahoma
.
www.RBM.org
.
THE
DEVIL MADE ME DO IT!
Bishop Randy Barnett
Years ago a popular television show had a comedy character by the name
of “Geraldine” that used the line: “the devil
made me do it!” anytime she did something she knew was wrong. Those
situation comedies were funny to us and made us laugh. However, it is not so
funny when Christians try to use the same line concerning their own moral
failures.
I have always advocated that having a sound understanding about our
adversary – Satan – is very important to every Christian. The truth is this: To
understand one’s enemy is to be positioned to defeat him. The fact of the
matter is Satan has already been defeated by our Champion, whose name is Jesus.
(Hebrews 2:14) What is left for you and me to do is to enforce the victory that
Jesus won at Calvary. We do this through the divine authority given to us by
God, which is carried out in the powerful name of Jesus Christ our Lord. That
is why James tells us that when we resist the devil he flees. (James 4:7)
Temptation to sin is faced by everyone, even born again Christians. Your
new birth in Christ Jesus and your blessed entry into salvation did not
insulate you from evil. Each day you face opportunities to sin, don’t you?
Those temptations seem to be all around you, but here is the good news: God always makes the way of escape for
you!
I Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has
overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will
not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation
will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
Do you see from this verse that you can never really blame your sinning
on the devil? Of course you know that he is involved in presenting the
opportunity to sin, but the truth is your flesh is the real enemy here. Read
James 1:14-15 to understand how this works. The conclusion is simple: if you
can figure out how to keep your flesh in check, then you can keep from sinning.
The Word of God actually tells you how you can do that very thing. Read what
the apostle Paul writes in Galatians 5:16. There is your key to living a life
that is victorious over sinning; the key is walking in the Spirit.
To walk in the Spirit is a
theological-sounding phrase, so let’s discuss what it means. Look at the life
of Jesus and from His example you can understand what it means to walk in the Spirit.
First of all, Jesus never did anything on His own initiative. For you that
translates into simply obeying the Word of God. The Bible is your handbook for
living, and when you live by what it says you overcome all temptations because
of its power working in you. Secondly, Jesus was constantly led by the Holy
Spirit that indwelt Him. You have the very same privilege because the Spirit of
God lives within you. The Bible tells you He always leads you into all truth
and that equates to a life of freedom in Christ Jesus. To sum this up, the
phrase “walk in the Spirit” relates to hearing and obeying the voice of God.
You hear it through His written Word as well as through the inner voice of His
Spirit. 24/7 He is your Helper and He is constantly showing you the way of
escape from sin. He may lead you around the temptation or you He will give your
victory through it. In any case, you win!
Don’t be like Geraldine and try to blame the devil if you blow it. The
right thing to do is to run to God, not away from Him. Remember that He is your
Father, not the judge. If you confess your sin He is quick to forgive you and
cleanse you from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:9) Get back up. Brush off your
trousers, and start (again) walking in the Spirit.
Ain’t God good!
