When we do things we shouldn’t – and we know we shouldn’t do them – our favorite fallback is to say, ‘the devil made me do it’. And since the only two influences we have in life are God or the devil, that is somewhat true.
But we can’t really blame the devil for something we do because God has given us a free spirit whereby we have the ability to choose. In everything we do in life, we can choose to do or not do it. The devil influences us or “tempts” us but we CAN choose not to do it. We CAN choose to listen to the small, still voice inside us which is God’s Spirit, and follow that instead.
And sometimes we feel as if we can justify our actions by our emotions and choose to do the wrong thing because we’re afraid of what might happen if we stand for what is right. But we should never be afraid to do what is right because:
“God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7.
Smile, God Loves You! 
Nice post Ronnie, but I would add to it. From a Christian point of view, it seems to me there are three agents that act to tempt or complicate our sin and waywardness. One is the devil, but others seem to be the world itself and our own flesh. Romans says that our flesh is dead, and I think that is true but the meaning is that it does not have rule over us. We can resist or flee from temptation whereas before we simply always went with the flow. The world seems to tainted with sin and death since the Fall, and it can be seductive in offering us freebies, power and pleasure. That’s my small take on it my friend.
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Fortunately, I only doubt the soundness of my mind about twice a week 😛
I am pretty firm in the belief the ways of the world are not of separate design from the God vs. Devil scenario you posit. In fact, I only see the world as the shadow of the battle.
There is great power against the temptations in finding those who side with God.
Thanks, Ronnie!
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