Blame it on the Devil

Satan stood up against Israel, and incited David to count the people of Israel. I Chronicles 21:1 NRSV

Looks like Satan, or "Big Red" as my friend Polly likes to say, was as active in Old Testament times as he is today. In this part of I Chronicles, David's problems don't begin with Bathsheba but with taking a census of the people. This wasn't David's own idea, however, but Satan's interference. Up until now, David was having a relatively positive and growing reign. Obviously, Satan was not happy with this and chose to stand up and incite David.

I can personally say that Satan has stood up and incited me to make wrong decisions and take godless actions. In fact, I would dearly love to blame Satan for a whole host of mistakes, poor decisions and unwise choices throughout my life. However, I must admit that sometimes I don't need Satan's help with these. Okay, most of the time I don't need Satan's influence. I do a fine job of messing up my life on my own.

I think all of us could spend our time blaming Satan for our problems. But perhaps we give the devil too much credit. We need to admit what we have personally done wrong. We need to take responsibility for our own actions. I think when we do this, Satan actually loses power over us.

God, protect us from being incited to do wrong things, no matter who or what is behind them. Help us to take responsibility for our own faults and mistakes. And forgive us whenever we do let you down. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims