"THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT!"

The deceased, but once ever-so-popular, American comedian, Flip Wilson, used to perform a routine as "Geraldine," the mischievous rule-breaker. Whenever she was confronted with her naughty behavior, she would always rationalize her actions by declaring, "The Devil made me do it!" Oh no, he didn't. He might have presented the temptation, but the choice was always hers. The Devil always lies about how gratifying a sinful act might be, but God promises to protect the would-be victim. "God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it," 1 Corinthians 10:13.

 

Some sins are clear-cut violations of God's will; others are doubtful situations. How could we decide whether a matter of conscience might be sinful or not? Someone has suggested a four-fold test:

 

(1) The Test of Expediency, 1 Corinthians 6:12 -- The matter at hand may be a matter of indifference, but is it good for me to do?  Watching TV for four hours or more may be fine if one is watching an educational program on self-improvement or personal sacrifice, but doing that everyday would be a squandering of time. "Time is the stuff of life."

(2) The Test of Enslavement, 1 Corinthians 6:12 -- Does this act enslave me? Is it addictive? Is it robbing me of my freedom? Many "bad" habits fall in this category such as abuse of tobacco, alcohol or prescription drugs. Some folks are addicted to their computers. They spend hours browsing the internet while neglecting many other important aspects of life. God knows our secret moments and movements even when no one else is watching. God is not hoodwinked, Galatians 6:7.

(3) The Test of Edification, 1 Corinthians 10:23 -- Does this activity build me up? Does it make me a better person? Does it contribute anything to my spiritual growth? Does it make me a better Christian? Does it make my walk with Christ easier or does it hinder it?

(4) The Test of Example, 1 Corinthians 8:9-13 -- Does it offend a weak, immature brother? Would it destroy his faith in God? Would I be embarrassed if my parents knew about this? Instinctively, how would Jesus look upon this? Is this becoming "all things to all men," 1 Corinthians 9:22-23? Paul says, "Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others," 1 Corinthians 10:24.

 

Flip's fictitious character, Geraldine, was addicted to buying dresses and shoes. When her husband forbade her, her defense was, "The devil made me do it!" Her husband replied, "Next time, just say to that old devil, 'Get thee behind me, Satan.'" When she violated his express instruction with another new dress, her angry husband asked her why she didn't use the formula to run the devil off. She replied that the devil told her she really looked good in that dress. She told him, "Get thee behind me." When he got behind her, he said, "Honey, it looks lovely from the back, too!" That did it--she just had to buy that new dress! Ah, the foolish choices and the wild justifications of the naive!

 

Sure, the devil's job has always been to tempt us to bring about our downfall. The choice to tell him to "get behind us" is still our own. Choose the right and shun the wrong. Stand strong. Choose Jesus! By the way, don't neglect worshipping with us tonight. When the devil says, "Don't go back. You're tired. You've had enough. You don't have to. The Bible doesn't say you have to. You have better things to do than to listen to that old wordy preacher. He can't tell you anything you don't already know." Just say, "Get thee behind me, Satan," and come on anyway. You'll be so glad you did! 

 

Love you all,

 

Al--"the Horne of Africa."