It's the Devil's fault?

1. 0

   MysticMoonlightposted 10 years ago

   Throughout my life I have often heard people say, "It is/was the Devil's doing" or "The Devil made me/them do it" when either they or people that they know do something they knew was wrong or were not supposed to do but do/did it anyway. I know that some people do not believe in the Devil and/but I understand that some people believe that the Devil has or can influence(d) people but what about taking responsibility for our own decisions and actions? Where is the line in this thinking...When is it the "Devil" and when it is "us"? Is this a cop-out as some often tend to believe? What are your opinions on this? PLEASE, keep it civil and respectful, I welcome/seek a genuinely mature "all sides" open discussion on this topic

   replyreport
   1. 57

      A Troubled Manposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      That is the hypocrisy of the believer and their faith.
      
      On one hand, they will tell us that their god and the devil are controlling or influencing us in some way, while on the other hand, they will claim free will. They are essentially shifting the burden of responsibility to a third party, albeit invisible and undetectable third parties as it suits their agenda.

      replyreport
      1. 61

         Disappearingheadposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         ATM this is a paradox of Christianity that nobody ever explained to me. I think the notion goes like this: The devil cannot read a Christian's mind but he can implant thoughts. A Christian then chooses by free will to go with that thought and commit the sin. However the Christian should be 'filled with the Holy Spirit' to discern Satan's thought implants in the first place so the sin is wilful and without excuse. However the Christian can be deceived into 'letting things in' by listening to rock music, hypnosis, drugs, believing the wrong doctrine, premarital sex, or anything else that their church says is undesirable. The non-Christian has no defence against satan so their minds are a smorgasbord of sin, so in a sense they can't help themselves and sin by nature. Why the condemnation to hell? Because the non-Christian chooses to 'rebel' by not asking Jesus into their hearts.
         
         So in essence we are are all satan's potential puppets but the Christian is supposed to know when their strings are being pulled, and if they don't they are to blame. You ATM are not to blame for being Satan's sock puppet but you are to blame for not accepting the cure.
         
         Is it any wonder so many Christians live in fear?

         replyreport
         1. 84

            gmwilliamsposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            People are the blame for evildoings, not some imaginative devil.  WE are the DEVILS.
            

            replyreport
            1. 61

               Disappearingheadposted 10 years agoin reply to this

               Yeah that's true and is actually what the bible says too.

               replyreport
            2. 0

               MysticMoonlightposted 10 years agoin reply to this

               Excellent point, gmwilliams!

               replyreport
         2. 0

            MysticMoonlightposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            Disapprearinghead, I think you gave a really great explanation here. Especially about the notion of when to blame what/who...that's the part that has always given me the most to ponder. Thanks

            replyreport
            1. 61

               Disappearingheadposted 10 years agoin reply to this

               Thank you.

               replyreport
      2. 0

         MysticMoonlightposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         ATM, I agree, it really can come across and seem so hypocritical and for me, confusing. Thanks for your insight.

         replyreport
   2. 0

      Deepes Mindposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      "The devil made me do it" is absolutely a cop out excuse for a Christian to engage in behavior that is against biblical principles. We were given the free will to do whatever we choose to do within the laws of society and the bible. To attribute our choices to the controlling influence of an outside force or forces means to give up our free will.

      replyreport
      1. 0

         MysticMoonlightposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Great point, Deepes Mind. I agree. When I hear someone say this, I can't help but think that they are only fooling themselves and honestly, I see them as somewhat delusional, especially when they are absolutely adamantly convinced they should not be held accountable. I'm usually pretty speechless.

         replyreport
2. 0

   Emile Rposted 10 years ago

   I agree that blaming an unprovable entity for one's actions is a cop out. But, we always justify behavior by how the actions of others influenced events. Few people take full responsibility.

   replyreport
   1. 0

      MysticMoonlightposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Indeed, Emile R. Often, upon hearing someone use this excuse/explanation, I can't help but think they should just admit it, accept their part in it and move on to make things right as best as possible. In a perfect world, I suppose.

      replyreport