And the LORD God said unto the woman, "what is this that thou hast done?" And the woman said, "The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat." Genesis 3:13 (KJV)

Many of the Daily Devotion's younger readers won't remember the late comedian Flip Wilson, nor will they recall how he always got a laugh when he said, "The devil made me do it."

According to an article carried by the Associated Press, a woman in Arlington, Washington, has done her best to revive that line. Only this time, nobody is laughing.

The 62-year-old lady who had worked for the Arlington Free Methodist Church had, over the years of her employment, forged the pastor's name on over 80 checks. The amount she had stolen amounted to $73,575.18. Afraid she would lose her house; the woman said she used the cash to pay for household expenses.

According to police, the woman seemed relieved her crime had been uncovered. When she was confronted, she said "Satan had a big part in the theft."

As sad as that case is, I am pleased to see the woman has made her confession.

Not too many people do that, you know. Far too many are like Eve who tried to pass the blame onto the snake who had slyly whispered some sinful suggestions into her ear.

To confess our wrongdoing -- according to the apostle John, that's something Christians ought to do. To encourage us in acknowledging our sinful shortcomings he wrote "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

Flip Wilson was wrong. The devil doesn't make us do it. He can make it easier and more convenient to sin; he can lead us to think expediency is better than obedience to the Lord. But when all is said and done, we are the ones who do the sinning, and we are the ones who need the Savior.

Thanks be the Christ has come. With faith in Him we are forgiven and cleansed from all we have done wrong.

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, today I acknowledge my many sins. Because You sent Your Son to take those sins, pay the price for them, and remove them, I am forgiven. Now, I ask You to send Your Holy Spirit upon me so I may successfully resist Satan and his lies. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

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In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Deuteronomy 17-19    Luke 5:17-39

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