Have you ever said, “The devil made me do it”? I would venture to sat that many have said that….or maybe thought it. It’s always so easy to blame the devil for our mistakes. The blame game even goes back to the beginning of humanity. Adam and Eve ate from the tree. When God confronted them, Adam blamed Eve. Eve then went on to tell God that it was the serpents fault. It seems like it’s part of our nature to always blame someone else.

Here is something that I’ve know but Holy Spirit brought it into a greater revelation to me the other day. Satan can’t do anything without our will…without us giving him permission. As God’s creation, we have been given authority or dominion over this world and especially over ourselves. Satan either has to do something illegally or we have to give him permission.

I was reading in the New Testament the other day about Judas…you know, the dude who betrayed Christ. There was a point before the actual betrayal where scripture says that Satan entered Judas. Let me say that I do believe that Satan is a real person….well, a spiritual being. He was once an archangel over the worship in heaven. In fact, he was the highest of all angels. He was called the Son of the Morning.

So scripture says that Satan entered Judas…he took up possession of Judas. He took control of Judas in a particular area. I have heard and read of people who claim to have been possessed by “the devil.” While I don’t necessarily believe that everyone to does something wrong is “possessed” by the devil, I do believe that this was the case for Judas. Most people will never have a direct encounter with Satan himself. I do believe that we can give certain parts of our lives over to the control of one of the devils cohorts.

Ok, back on topic. I am coming to a truth of knowing that no power or force can do anything without my will being involved. I believe that even God will not violate my will. I was discussing this with a friend and asked me about when God hardened the heart of Pharaoh. I don’t believe or see in scripture where God could have or would have done that unless the pharaoh had already set his will against the Israelites. There is another case in scripture where it says that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Yes, every knee will bow to Jesus but I believe that it will happen when every soul sees the lordship of Christ and know that He alone is sovereign. I don’t believe that it is a forced bowing.

To apply this to our everyday life, I see where every choice we make is based upon our will. We can be influenced for good or evil but ultimately it is our choice what to do. Every choice to sin, every choice to eat that piece of chocolate cake, every choice to do something nice for someone.

The problem with our choices is that they are sometimes made uninformed or without all the facts. Every choice we make is based on our understanding of truth. Our will is our mind. It is also called our emotions. We are responsible for our own actions. We are also responsible for what causes us to do those things.

Friend, maybe today you are struggling with sin. Maybe you are struggling with something that isn’t necessarily sin but something that isn’t healthy. Maybe you are wondering how you can escape the rut that you are in. Make the choice today to do something about it. Maybe you need help. That’s ok…alot of us do…ok, all of us do. Most importantly, get the truth and walk in it. I do have a link on the sidebar to Shammah Ministries that may be able to help or if you don’t live in that area they could probably recommend a place. This is not about judging you or condemning you…it’s about grace. And remember…the devil didn’t make you do it…he may have influence you but it was your choice. Chose a new path now.

Chose this day whom you will serve…but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.