Satan desires one thing which is the spiritual demise of all humanity. He wants every soul to end up in hell with him (Matt.25:41). Satan accomplishes his mission by getting people to live their lives in sin. Satan “entered in” Judas and caused him to betray the Lord (Jn.13:27; 18:1-5). Satan “filled” Ananias’ heart to lie to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3). Satan “deceived” Eve to disobey the Lord (Gen.3:1-6; 2 Cor.11:3; 1 Tim.2:14). The devil is always busy trying to “devour” and destroy people with sin (1 Pet.5:8, Jn.8:44; 1 Jn.3:8; 2 Cor.2:11). Jesus told Peter that “Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not” (Lk.22:31-32). So, when we sin is the devil responsible for our transgressions because he caused us to do it?
The devil tempts us to sin as he even tried to get Jesus to sin (Matt.4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13). However, if the devil is responsible for our sins, why will we one day be held accountable for them (Rom.14:10,12; 2 Cor.5:10; Rev.20:11-12)? It is because the devil cannot “make” us do anything, he only plays a part in our sins by dangling the carrot. James said, “Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (Jas.1:14-15). The devil only tempts us but it is we who either resist or transgress. We have the ability through Jesus Christ (Eph. 6:10-11; Phil.4:13) and the responsibility as Christians to “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (Jas.4:7). After resisting the devil he leaves “for a season” (but never for good) (Lk.4:13). Nevertheless, we have endured that temptation to sin (Jas.1:12).
Furthermore, with every temptation we are given all the help necessary to withstand the devil as God will not allow any temptation beyond our individual power to resist and also gives each and every one of us a faithful way out (1 Cor.10:13). So, when we give in to sin, we must understand that it is our fault.
