How many times have we blamed the devil for a sinful act we have done. It is as if always there is someone else responsible for our actions except us.
On the other hand, we have seen some people never blame the devil for any such acts happening to them. The devil really knows how to play us. We try to live on both extremes rather than having a biblical perspective on the subject.
I DID IT – IT’S NOT THE DEVIL
Some of the things we do is our own doing. Demons have no part to play. In fact, we have acted like the demons that tempt us by tempting ourselves.
Mark 7:21-23 For from within, out of your hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder,adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile you.”
Notice how it was described that from within – not from outside. No need for demonic intervention. I remember as a teenager how I would schedule my sin and the time I will repent. There was no need for the enemy to tempt me. I took care of his job.
James 1:14-15 but each of you is tempted when you are dragged away by your own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full–grown, gives birth to death.
You will also be surprised to see God giving them over to their sinful desires and the only hope they have is to see their sinfulness and received Christ into their lives
Romans. 1:23-30 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
On the other hand, there are those who did not commit sin but are oppressed and abused by the enemy. These are people who have been raped, abused, verbally and physically harmed in a violent way but others. These are children who are forced into sex trafficking. It is not their choice but because of the horrible sin done to them they also experience demonic manifestations.
I received a call two months ago from an agency that rescues overseas worker from abuse and molestation. The woman who escaped her tormentor who would sell her for sex would have nightmares every night of her having sex with demons.
The remedy for the enemy’s abuse over her life and over the lives of people who have refused Christ’s control and sovereignty over their life is to receive what Christ did for her at the cross.
The verse that I am about to share is the basis of our victory over the devil and his demons.
Colossians 2:13-15 (English Standard Version)
13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
Maybe you are living in sin or the enemy has played you for the longest time. Freedom is yours and it is found in Christ. Jesus came on earth to destroy the works of the devil.
1John 3:8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.