A few years ago I looked after John, a new Christian. We were on Beach Mission at Nelson Bay and he committed his life to Christ very early in the program. Each night he met with us and reported how he was going. When things went bad (i.e. Рhe chose to engage in ungodly practices) he lamented that “The Devil made me do it”.

The heart of this problem is ascribing too much power to the Devil.

As modern Christians we can oscillate between two positions. Many make the mistake of thinking the Devil does not exist and hence we undervalue his influence. But just as dangerously many overestimate the Devil’s power. The Devil is real and is engaged in a spiritual warfare to keep us away from God. He tempts us, and can attack our circumstances. However he does not make our choices for us. Jesus identifies himself in Luke 11 as the strong man who overcomes the Devil in the lives of His followers. We can always resist temptation by calling on Jesus and following Him.

Stephen Semenchuk