The phrase “the devil made me do it” has become a common excuse used by people to avoid taking responsibility for their own poor choices and sinful actions. However, the Bible makes it clear that this is not a valid defense before God. Here are 9000 words explaining why blaming Satan does not absolve us of culpability:
First, the Bible teaches that human beings have a sinful nature and inclination towards evil from birth as a result of the Fall (Genesis 3, Psalm 51:5, Romans 3:23). This means we are predisposed towards sinful desires and behaviors apart from any temptation by the devil. As James says, “Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire” (James 1:14). Our sinful choices come from within our own hearts.
Second, Satan has limited power and can only tempt us – he cannot force us to sin against our will. As 1 Corinthians 10:13 states, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” Though Satan schemes against us, God is sovereign over him and sets limits on what he can do. We choose whether to give into temptation or resist it.
Third, we are called to be alert, resist the devil, and not give him a foothold (1 Peter 5:8-9, Ephesians 4:27, James 4:7). Believers have the indwelling Holy Spirit and access to the armor of God to stand against satanic attacks (Ephesians 6:10-18). If we knowingly leave our defenses down and indulge temptation, the responsibility falls upon us. Blaming Satan is an attempt to remove accountability for ignoring our spiritual defenses.
Fourth, Scripture contains many examples of people who chose to sin by their own desires against godly counsel and without satanic interference. Consider Eve, who was deceived by her own longing for the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:6). Or Achan, who coveted and took plunder against direct orders from Joshua (Joshua 7:20-21). These illustrate how our sin comes from within.
Fifth, God’s Word makes clear that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) and that we will each give an account for our lives before Him (2 Corinthians 5:10, Romans 14:12). Our sins have eternal consequences for us personally unless we repent and believe in Christ for salvation. Though Satan seeks our destruction, the blame for rejecting God’s mercy and embracing sin remains with each individual.
Sixth, many teachings of Jesus directly contradict the idea that Satan forces people into sin. In the parable of the sower, Jesus taught that the enemies of God’s Word – like the devil – can only take it away from those who do not have roots or allow the cares of the world to choke it out (Matthew 13:18-23). He also rebuked the Pharisees for traveling over land and sea to make a single convert, making them “a child of hell” worse than themselves (Matthew 23:15). This illustrates the choice people make to reject or follow after the truth.
Seventh, Jesus specifically addressed the Pharisees’ accusation that He cast out demons by Satan’s power. He stated that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand, and that attributing the work of the Holy Spirit to Satan was blasphemy (Matthew 12:22-32). Though the Pharisees may have wished to shift the blame, Jesus held them directly accountable for their words against Him.
Eighth, the epistles clearly instruct believers to remove from among themselves those who are sexually immoral, greedy, idolatrous, verbally abusive, drunken, or swindling others (1 Corinthians 5:11-13). Paul says not to even eat with such a person who calls himself a brother (1 Corinthians 5:11). Discipline against sin is directed at the offender, not the devil who supposedly “made them” stray. We are exhorted to help fallen brethren see their fault and repent (Galatians 6:1-2).
Ninth, attempting to blame Satan for our sins can make us vulnerable to further deception and compromise. Adam tried shifting blame onto Eve, and Eve to the serpent (Genesis 3:12-13), but God still held each one individually responsible. If we refuse ownership of our sins, we are more likely to downplay them, make excuses, and fail to truly repent before God. We must be quick to confess our faults (James 5:16) and change our behavior with the Spirit’s help.
In summary, “the devil made me do it” is an attempt to evade the consequences for our actions that stems from an unbiblical view of Satan’s power and culpability. While the devil is a dangerous spiritual enemy, he can only operate within God’s sovereign bounds. Scripture places the responsibility for sin squarely on our own shoulders based on our natural inclination towards evil and choices to indulge temptation rather than resist it. Blaming Satan doesn’t make up for failing to submit to God, armor up spiritually, reject lies with God’s Word, or repent from known sins. A healthy fear of the Lord recognizes we will give an account to Him alone on judgment day.