The Devil Made Me Do It?
My wife and I are en route to Yuma, AZ for a few days before driving our motor home back to Colorado for the summer.
Upon arriving at Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix, AZ, among the many of faces in the terminal, my wife’s eyes fell upon that of a young lady who surrendered her life to the Lord in our church many years ago. Making her way to her, she took her in her arms, delightfully greeting her. Afterward, when my wife reminded me of who she was, I was amazed at the transformation that had taken place to that once beautiful young lady.
She had come to a Sunday night service under the burden of sin, hungry for a change in her life. Having lived the life of a hardened sinner, she was partnered with a man of like kind in Kansas City. She fled to her mother’s home in Denver, ready for deliverance. The Spirit of the Lord moved in that service in a spectacular way, and she surrendered to the Lord in sincere repentance. After the service my wife had a long talk with her, and when she left the church her mind was made up; she would return to Kansas City, pack her things and drive back to Denver to serve the Lord.
I was fascinated with my wife’s retelling of the story, but was soon to be disappointed. She continued, relating that, after she had returned to Kansas City and bid her live-in boyfriend goodbye, she loaded her things in her car, and was on the highway back to Denver when she had second thoughts. Then, turning the car around, she returned again to the bondage of her old life. Now, years later, her beauty had been all but erased, and the ravages of sin were evident.
With sincere affection, I then complimented my wife for going directly to her, showing her such Christian love. Then, sweetly and with wistfulness in her voice my wife concluded, “I just despise the way the devil has tripped her up.”
Then immediately, my mind reflected on the way the Lord had welcomed her that long-ago Sunday night. His Spirit had dealt so strongly with her that she felt compelled to respond, confessing and repenting with bitter tears. Also my wife had tenderly dealt with her, giving her sound advice whereby she might make her calling and election sure. With determination she had gone back to Kansas City, made the decision to leave her sinful life behind. As she sped back to Denver, away from her old life, what made her turn around? Why would she once again immerse herself into the old life of sin? Is it fair to say, “The devil made her do it?”
While everyone knows the devil is the master deceiver, the father of murders, and heaven’s chief antagonist, we also know that he will receive his just reward. He is already sentenced to the bottomless pit. The devil’s future is predestined, and like those sentenced to life in prison have no hesitation to kill and maim (knowing they have no future), he’s determined to destroy and make havoc of as many lives as he possibly can. It’s quite convenient then, to blame him for all of life’s ills and failures. But blaming the devil doesn’t lessen, nor does it absolve anyone from responsibility to overcome temptation and say no to sin!
Such dynamite power as God pours forth in abundance upon every service – service after service, is going to have to be accounted for: If you neglect to arm yourself with Holy Ghost strength, and leave any service without a spiritual recharge, it is no one’s fault but your own. Not even the devil can be blamed for your refusal to surrender to the Lord and be re-armed for battles against the devil, the flesh, and the world!