We live in a world where people love to blame others for their problems. We like to find scapegoats for things that go wrong. We make excuses. We have become good at avoiding responsibility for what happens in our lives. Frequently, we just blame the devil.
The story is told of a person sitting outside a church who was crying profusely. A woman took pity on him and asked, “Why are you crying so much?” The man pointed at the church and replied, “Because you people commit sins and then blame me for everything you do.” The woman was confused and asked the man, “Who are you?” “I am the devil,” said the sorrowful person.
The point of this story is that we tend to blame the devil when things go wrong, even when the problems are of our own making. Certainly much evil comes from the devil. But not all our problems are of the devil’s making. Some of the frustrations we experience are from our own mistakes or just the natural experiences of life.
Without doubt we are involved in spiritual warfare. But it disturbs me when people overly spiritualize the ordinary events in their lives and ministries. I’ve observed many people blaming the devil when things don’t go well rather than accepting responsibility for their circumstances. It’s as if they are saying, “If the devil is to blame, then there is nothing I can do to solve the problem.” You see, it is easier to find something outside ourselves to blame than to look at our own faults that we choose not to change.
Yes, we are engaged in spiritual warfare. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12).
The devil is opposed to everything we seek to do in the name of Jesus. The devil gets stirred up when we seek to have children and youth transferred from the kingdom of the devil into the kingdom of God’s dear Son. Spiritual warfare is real. We all deal with it.
Spiritual warfare can be a factor in the obstacles we face. If you are working to build the kingdom of God, be prepared for opposition. Such battles are won with prayer, fasting, wisdom, gentleness, and patience.
But spiritual warfare isn’t always the cause of our problems. Don’t over-spiritualize your battles or demonize those opposed to you. And don’t blame the devil for your own lack of preparedness. Not all our troubles can be placed at the feet of the devil. Sometimes we make our own problems. We say the wrong word, we do the wrong thing, we approach a situation in an unwise way and the problem is of our own making.
Suppose I own an old car and do not take care of it. Suppose I never get the car serviced and repaired. If the car breaks down some day and I am stranded, I can’t say that the devil did it or that I am experiencing spiritual warfare. I am reaping the consequences of my failure to look after my car.
I have been amazed how people fail to take responsibility for their own actions. Blaming the devil is a way to get out of responsibility for our actions.
The devil may be behind the difficulties you are facing. If so, pray harder. Trust God’s promise to be with you and to help you. Then set your mind to deal with the situation as best you can.
First, accept responsibility. Don’t shift all the blame onto the devil.
Second, ask God for wisdom to understand the situation. Ask yourself these questions: What do I need to do differently? With whom do I need to consult to get answers? How can I solve the problems?
Third, allow God to lead you forward. Regardless of what you are facing, God has a brighter tomorrow.
Fourth, take positive action. Don’t sit and blame the devil or others. Do something to solve the problem.
Blaming the devil for all your problems means you stop looking for solutions. Shifting responsibility to the devil can be an excuse for inactivity.
The devil may be the cause of some of your trouble. No matter, ask yourself, “What can I do to improve the situation?” Then take action and go forward with courage, boldness and faith.