The "devil made me do it" was a phrase made popular by the comedian Flip Wilson's character Geraldine. Whatever Geraldine did that got her in trouble, her out was "the devil made me do it". How many times have I excused our poor choices (sins) with that excuse? Maybe not quite so flippantly, but with excuses or rationalizations. James lets us know that the devil making us do it is not an excuse.
James 4:7 gives us the anecdote to the "devil made me do it"- Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." This is a two part set of instructions. Not only do we have to resist, but first submit. Submission to God and His will must precede resistance of the devil. I believe that on our own power, we do not have the strength to resist the temptations of this world. But if our hearts, emotions and thoughts are in submission to God, He will give us the strength to resist.
Heavenly Father, please give me the strength to not only resist, but the humility to submit first.
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