Devil made me do it

Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
James 4:7

Do you remember when the phrase, "The devil made me do it." was popular?  Boy, I do.  It seemed such a handy phrase to use if I gave in to temptation... bought that dress I didn't need.... ate that second helping of chocolate cake... whatever.  But the simple truth is, Satan doesn't really have that kind of control over us.  This verse tells us to "resist the devil".  God wouldn't tell us to do something He didn't empower us to do.  

In another verse of scripture we find, "...greater is He that is in you (The Holy Spirit), than he that is in the world (Satan)."  So, although the phrase is catchy and cute, let's not fool ourselves.  We are responsible for our actions, and we have the power to be over-comers.

My prayer for today:  Father, remind me often of these two verses.  I need them to give me determination and strength over the temptations Satan waves in front of me.