The Devil made me do it! In the 1970’s, the late comedian, Flip Wilson, was well known for this famous line. The phrase became wildly popular during that time, but the concept of blaming the Devil for one’s actions was nothing new. Playing the blame game has been a part of humanity since Adam and Eve were first tempted in the Garden.
Those who fall into sin are rarely willing to accept the blame that accompanies their disobedience. Instead of admitting their sin, Adam and Eve excused themselves, placing the blame on others. The sinner loves to point the blame first at those who tempted them, and then on the circumstances God has put in place.
God called to Adam asking, “Where are you?” God knew where he was but sought to bring him to confession. Adam sought to hide his disobedience behind its consequences, telling God he feared his nakedness. He was more concerned about his shame than he was about his transgression of God’s command. To awaken his consciousness, God asked Adam, “Who told you that you were naked?”
Adam attempted, at least in part, to cast the blame on both his wife and also on God. Adam told God that the serpent persuaded Eve first to eat of the tree and then the woman given to him as a constant companion and faithful friend persuaded him to eat of it. Though true, this suggests that he would not have eaten of it had it not been for his wife. He accused God of giving him a woman to help him who actually helped to ruin him.
When tempted, we are prone to say that the temptation is of God, as if that would excuse the breaking of God’s laws. Adam claimed he did not eat by his own inclination or choice. In excusing himself, he foolishly charged God for his transgression. It’s sad when someone finds fault with God for the greatest blessings of life bestowed on them.
When Eve was tempted by the serpent, Adam should have helped his wife. Instead, he showed no sense of duty towards her and recounted what happened as if, from his point of view, he was right in acting as he did. Adam’s conscience was not moved, and he accepted no responsibility. He acted as if no one should be blamed for having done anything wrong. Eve, at least, acknowledged that she had been deceived and was led astray by the serpent.
The freedom we have to resist the will of our Creator and the sin that results quickly leads to fear, excuses, embarrassment, guilt, pointing blame, and ultimately, confrontation with God. Despite our disobedience, we are never fully expelled from God’s presence. He never abandons his relationship with us.
Sin may remove us from close proximity to God, but he remains a conversation partner with us in order to pursue a renewed relationship with us. God came to Adam and Eve in their sinful state to convict them and give them the opportunity to repent. We deceive ourselves if we say that we have no sin, but if we confess our sins, our merciful God will forgive us.
Becoming Biblical 