I know I am
skewing old here, but… who remembers Flip Wilson? Wilson was a comic in the
sixties and seventies who was famous in part for his portrayal of “Geraldine
Jones”. I don’t remember much of Wilson’s humor, and I suspect that a lot of it
would be considered irreverent and perhaps even offensive today. But at the
time, he had quite a following. In particular, I remember Geraldine Jones’
popular cry, “The devil made me do it!” Wilson, dressed as a loud, sassy woman
would defend all her bad or impulsive decisions by claiming that the devil made
her do it. Wilson’s delivery was spot on, and Geraldine was great character;
but in retrospect, it was amazing how long he was able to ride that one joke.
Well, maybe
not. See, the situations Geraldine so often found herself in were not
extraordinary, odd or unusual. Quite the contrary, her situations were the most
commonplace—talking with a friend, riding the bus, or most famously, buying a
dress. But, when asked how she could spend so much money on the dress, out
would come the retort—“the devil made me do it!” and never without a huge
audience laugh.
Why did we
laugh? Not, I think, because we can’t imagine being in the situation; but because
we are always exactly in that situation! The situation of having made poor
choices and needing someone/something to blame. How easy is “the Flip Wilson
defense”? Blame it on the devil!
But,
Scripture won’t have anything to do what that. Yes, the Bible acknowledges that
Satan is active in this world, that he is dangerous, and that he is relentless
in his desire to destroy God’s people (1 Peter 5:8). Satan is surely no one to
fool with.
But, can we
justly claim that “Satan made us” do something? Nope. Not according to God’s
Word. Satan has tremendous powers; and he is always working against holiness. But
he doesn’t “make” us do anything. He certainly is guilty in God’s sight, but
guilty of what? Not of making us do evil… it is, after all, we who do evil! In
the Bible we are the ones held accountable for our wickedness and sinfulness. The
devil doesn’t make us do anything.
Now, don’t
get me wrong. Satan is active in this world. But not in “making” us do things.
That guilt is all our own. What does Satan do? His great power is easily
summarized in Scripture. He is the Deceiver—twisting God’s Word, a liar and the
father of lies (John 8:44). He is the Tempter—challenging us to turn from God
and betray Him (1 Thessalonians 3:5; 1 Corinthians 7:5). Finally, Satan is the
Accuser—undercutting God’s promises and the assurance of salvation He gives
(Revelation 12:9). The thought that Satan might make us do evil is easy to
have—it removes the responsibility from us. But that is not what he does. He
doesn’t make—he deceives, tempts, and accuses. And, believe me, that’s bad
enough! Maybe he doesn’t have to make us do anything… maybe his deceit,
temptations, and accusations are more than enough.
But, thanks
be to our Lord for the grace, salvation, forgiveness, and protection we have in
Jesus Christ, who for us has won the victory!
As you prepare for worship this week, check out Zechariah 3.
1. One of
the challenges of this passage is that it is a vision. How does that change our
interpretation of what happens?
2. Note: This
is not the Joshua you might be thinking of. The “Joshua” of the biblical book
lived centuries earlier. This one is not a military leader, but “the high
priest”. What was the role of the high priest?
3. Reading
to the end of the chapter, you get the impression that it is the Day of
Atonement (or, just take my word for it, the Day of Atonement is in view here).
How does that influence what is going on in this passage?
4. What is
Satan doing (vs. 1)? Who do you think he is accusing?
5. What is
with the LORD’s rebuke? What is the basis/reasoning of his rebuke in verse 2?
6. Verse 3-5
are very concerned with Joshua’s clothing. What do you know about priests’
clothing? Why is it so important? Bible
search question: Why is the priest’s turban important? What is noteworthy of
the turban?
