Have you ever shared or heard others share their struggles with being obedient to the Word of God? You know- something that was done that you or that person have never done before? After telling the story or describing the incident, the phrase is most commonly stated as: “the devil made me do it!” I’ve then read/heard rebuttal against this statement. The response is usually something like: “Naw it wasn’t the devil, it was you. It was your ‘inner me’ not the enemy.” 

My reply isn’t for or against either argument. In fact I choose not to argue. But here is what I know. 

It is what is IN us that drives every decision, behavior, action and reaction that we make. 

Our daily efforts either uplift the kingdom of God or the work of the enemy. Whether admitted or not, it’s just that simple. 

If we live according to your fleshly desires, you’re not operating in the Spirit.

“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” John‬ ‭8:44‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

If we live by the Spirit of Truth, we allow Him to lead and guide us in everything. 

“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” ‭‭John‬ ‭16:13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

The “inner me” is what drives you. 

“So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭7:17, 19-21, 23-25‬ ‭NLT‬‬