Thursday, May 10, 2012

When Satan is Not the Problem-5/10/2012

"But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust." James 1:11

As human beings, we tend to play the blame game when we find ourselves in a disadvantageous situation. Rare are the times when we take complete responsibility. Case in point, when humanity fell in the Garden, Eve blamed the serpent, then Adam blamed Eve and God. Though Satan has the power and desire to tempt, he does not have the power to decide for us nor force us to do anything.

Beloved we must always be aware of our weak areas. Each of us knows where we are vulnerable and subject to slip out of God's will. It is important to do all that can be done to overcome and remove unrighteous desires (whatever they may be) in order that they not be used against us. In an effort to make a point (rather than being literal), Jesus once said, "If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell." Matt 5:29.

In the end, it is we who make the decisions and commit the actions that are righteous or unrighteous. In the end, they cannot be blamed on Satan or God. We were created with free will and are responsible for the choices that we make. To be sure, Satan is a problem but he is not THE problem.

Rejoicing in the Lord,

Lee



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