Satan: Did “the devil” make you do it?
Some who read this will know there was a time when “the devil made me do it” was a phrase people often heard. But is it really “the devil” who causes people to do certain bad things? Obviously, a lot of people think so, but is that true? Are there things “the devil” actually makes people do? As we always do on this website, let’s see what the Scriptures tell us about this.
Isn’t “the devil” what we would rightly call a creature? Doesn’t the word creature itself tell us he was created? Who created him? Isn’t there Scripture that tells us it was God who created the devil? This passage we will note first begins with some comments directed to a man. These verses tell us this was to the king of Tyrus but notice how the passage flows into telling us about this creature we speak of as “the devil” or as Satan.
Ezekiel 28:12-14
12 Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.
13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold [All this tells us he was the most beautiful creature God had ever made]: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes [speaking of his voice] was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast CREATED.
Yes, It was God who CREATED him.
14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; [This speaks of his position of rulership over all the other angels] and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God [speaking of Heaven]; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. [Emphasis added]
It seems that it is here in this text that the one speaking makes a switch from talking about a man to talking about Satan. Until this occasion Satan had never sinned. It is here that we’re reading of what is called “Satan’s fall.” We know that man had a “fall,” and we find that this angel, Lucifer was the first to have one. It is here that he went from being an attractive and wonderful servant of God to being the self-serving angel we speak of as “the devil.”
There was a day when man had never sinned, but Satan was the one who played a major role to influence a change in that.
Genesis 3:1-6
1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
Note how he puts doubt in the mind of the woman about what God had said.
2 And the woman said unto the serpent [This “serpent” was Satan, the devil she was speaking to], We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
Please note that the woman didn’t get her information directly from God but through her husband, Adam. In a similar way we don’t get our information about God’s policies directly from Him either. We get it through the writings of others in the Bible. So, just as we are today, Eve was challenged concerning the reliability of what she was hearing that God had said. Then we see Satan’s frontal attack on God’s word.
4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
Then Satan makes an appeal to the woman’s pride and succeeds. Don’t unbelievers today typically think of themselves as smarter and wiser than the rest of us.
5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
It was then that she and subsequently the man fell because they chose to yield to the temptation.
6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. [Emphasis added]
Just as there was a day when man first sinned, there was before that time a day when Satan who was originally called Lucifer first sinned. It was then that he became the one we speak of as “the devil.” We have the record of his fall in Scripture.
Isaiah 14:12-14
12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
Then we have what are sometimes called the five I wills of Satan.
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. [Emphasis added]
I know that some of the things in these passages seem vague, but this is all we have to go on. All together these passages ARE talking about a very important event that has greatly affected us all. Therefore, we should want to learn everything we can about it.
There are definitely events in the world today that come forth as works of Satan. Never let anyone convince you otherwise! We are told that our only defense in dealing with these things is the Word of God.
Ephesians 6:10-17
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles [METHODIA = methods or tactics] of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day [the times of temptation], and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: [Emphasis added]
My goal in this article is not to completely dissect that Ephesians 6 passage. But one thing I do want you to note is that the Word of God is our ONLY offensive weapon. Without a clear understanding of it and the will to use it, we have nothing by which to do warfare victoriously against Satan. Nothing! Therefore, we’re reminded of how effective it can be if we are trained in the use of it.
Hebrews 4:12
12 For the word of God is quick [ZAO = alive or living], and powerful [ENERGES = active], and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. [Emphasis added]
This tells us our Bible is the one weapon we have by which to engage victoriously in spiritual warfare. Without a knowledge and a clear understanding of it we cannot win in this. Our defeat is certain! This is why of all the things in life that we can do with our time, we need to be completely committed to developing our knowledge and understanding of the Bible. One of many things this will do for you is to help you understand the true source of your sinfulness. It won’t be the devil, but it will be your flesh, your own sinful nature. We have verses in the Bible that describe this warfare that goes on in every believer. Romans 7:14-24 is the long version of it and this next verse I’ll give is a one-verse summary of it.
Galatians 5:17
17 For the flesh lusteth [EPITHUMEO = intense desire] against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh [our sinful nature]: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do [with perfect consistency] the things that ye would. [Emphasis added]
We don’t need to be blaming “the devil” for things he had no part in causing. When we do it just goes to show our misunderstanding and our ignorance of the truth. If we don’t know the true cause of the problem, we’re not going to find and make use of the true solution. The reality of the matter is that we as believers do “battle” on three fronts—the world, the flesh, and the devil. But it is our FLESH, our own sinful nature that gives us the most trouble. We are given lists of the things it produces. Please note the follow up verses to what we just noted in Galatians 5:17.
Galatians 5:19-21
19 Now the works of the flesh [our sinful nature] are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Don’t people often blame Satan or the devil, and not themselves, their own flesh, for these things?
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. [Emphasis added]
To claim “the devil made you do it” is typically incorrect. All these things emanate from our sinful nature and our failure to allow God’s Word to control us in our decision-making. Satan is nowhere mentioned in the context of all these sinful activities. It is our unbridled sinful nature that produces these things when we don’t control it through the influence and the power of God’s Word. Please also note what our apostle Paul told the very carnal Corinthian church members about this.
1 Corinthians 3:1-3
1 And I, brethren [fellow-members of the family of God], could not speak unto you as unto spiritual [ones living under the influence of the Word of God], but as unto carnal [ones living under the control of their flesh, their sinful nature], even as unto babes [immature believers] in Christ.
2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
3 For ye are yet carnal: [again, addressing Christians] for whereas there is among you [he then lists some of the sins emanating from their sinful nature] envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal [is this not proof of what’s controlling you], and walk as men [think and act like unbelievers]? [Emphasis added]
Never be so foolish as to say that if a person was truly saved, they’d never do such things. One can hardly name a sin the Corinthian saints weren’t guilty of committing. And if someone then wants to quote—by their fruit you will know them, just realize that when a believer is operating under the influence of their sin nature, they think and act just like an unbeliever. You CANNOT tell any difference at all. If you will take the time to read through Paul’s first epistle to the Corinthians, you’ll have difficulty finding a sin these people [these SAINTS] weren’t guilty of committing. Note how he addresses them in the opening words of his letter to them.
1 Corinthians 1:1-4
1 Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, [the “to be” is nowhere found in the Greek text; they were at that time saints] with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their’s and our’s:
3 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; [Emphasis added]
Like all of us these people were not saved by their works of righteousness. They didn’t quit sinning to become saints. Salvation only comes to anyone by grace through faith in Christ alone. People don’t get saved because they’ve somehow stopped sinning. They get saved because they have put their faith in the One who did something about their sins. They weren’t saved because of their own righteousness but by the righteousness of Christ that was applied to them judicially and freely when they put their faith in Christ as their Savior.
2 Corinthians 5:21
21 For he [God the Father] hath made him [Jesus Christ] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. [Emphasis added]
That righteousness we come to be identified with isn’t a personal righteousness or personal goodness, but Christ’s judicial righteousness. Another way of stating it is to say that it is a judicial righteousness, not an experiential righteousness. Some experiential righteousness typically comes forth in the lives of believers but never with perfect consistency. They ALL still commit sins to some degree. That varies from believer to believer. Every Christian you’ve ever known still had their times of expressed sinfulness. And if someone claims otherwise, just spend a few minutes with their spouse, their parents, their children, or anyone else who knows them well. I’m sure they can help you come up with some proof that they are still sinners.
All this adds up to the fact that we don’t need to be blaming Satan, the devil, or anyone else for our foolishness. When people won’t honestly and correctly diagnose a problem, they’re certainly not going to be helped by the true solution. The fact of the matter is that we’re all still sinners in need of our wonderful and gracious Savior. Apart from Him none of us would have any hope of salvation and Heaven at all. It is our knowledge of that which should motivate us to want to serve Him. We see that stated in this passage that reminds us of how we obtained our salvation.
Ephesians 2:8-10
8 For BY GRACE are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Then we have this next verse that’s here to remind us of a part of why were saved. It wasn’t to flaunt our liberties but to serve our Savior with an obedient manner of life.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained [speaking of the commands and prohibitions of Scripture that are directed to us] that we should walk in them. [Emphasis added]
Satan isn’t omnipresent as God is! He can only be in one place at a time. Even if he wanted to, he couldn’t be influencing you and people on the other side of the world or even someone next door to you at the same time. Therefore, Satan, as brilliant as he is, is only going to work on people he believes have major impact over the world. That means he probably doesn’t even know your name or mine, let alone somehow work to personally influence our decision-making. Only a man with a ministry like the apostle Paul’s could draw his attention. In fact, we know that he did. But even in Paul’s case he only sent a “messenger” to work on him.
2 Corinthians 12:7
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. [Emphasis added]
This “messenger” was another angel, what we would typically call a demon. But it was another angel that was sent to create some pain in Paul’s life. Paul even prayed on three different occasions that this angel and the suffering he produced would be removed, but God refused to do that.
2 Corinthians 12:7-9
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
But notice our Lord’s answer and particularly Paul’s response—
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [Emphasis added]
Then we also have people who like to refer to these next verses we’ll note. They’re trying to convince us that “the unrighteous” refers to professed Christians. But such is not always the case. The “unrighteous” here refers to unbelievers, none of which have ever had the righteousness of God credited to them.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
9 Know ye not that the unrighteous [those who’ve not been credited with the righteousness of Christ] shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. [Emphasis added]
We find that Paul told the Galatians essentially the same thing.
Galatians 5:19-21
19 Now the works of the flesh [one’s sinful nature] are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. [Emphasis added]
Because we are all bodily sinful creatures, God will have to transform us for our entry into His heavenly Kingdom. We first enter it in soul and spirit. The bodily transformation comes at the time of what is known as the Rapture when we receive a body like our Lord’s resurrection body.
Philippians 3:20-21
20 For our conversation [POLITEUO = citizenship] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. [Emphasis added]
For more information about this important event, please see my articles about it. Here are links to several of them—
Rapture: Who was the first to reveal this?
Rapture: What is the meaning of this term?
Rapture: Does this occur before The Tribulation?
Rapture: How is this different from The Second Coming?
When the Rapture occurs, this will be the first time we’ll ever experience being in a physical body without a sinful nature. Until then every believer has one. We all need to be mindful that even such a man as the apostle Paul had a sinful nature.
Romans 7:18-19
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) [speaking of his sinful nature] dwelleth no good thing: for to will [the desire] is present with me; but how to perform that which is good [with perfect consistency] I find not.
19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. [Emphasis added]
This, of course, should never be thought of as an excuse for our sin but it does explain its source. Those who allow it to keep control of them cannot please God.
Romans 8:8-17
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
For more information about the features of our resurrection body, please see my article about it—
Resurrection: What will your resurrection body be like?
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Conclusion—
No, the devil has probably never made you do anything! Instead, it was temptation from your sinful nature that has led you to sin. From the time of his first sin man has tried to shift the blame for his foolishness. Growing spiritually demands taking complete responsibility for one’s decisions and actions. You’ll find that so much about building a great life is about learning to make wise decisions. Then you’ll be able to be proud, in a good way, of the life you’ve lived. We all make mistakes, but we must make a habit of putting those things behind us and isolating them as we learn from them. The Apostle Paul sets a good example for us in this.
Philippians 3:13-14
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Emphasis added]
This isn’t optional but essential for the development of a great life. Despite your failures I hope you’ll press on with this honorable objective. If you will, you’ll certainly be glad you did.
