The Devil Made Me Do It (And Other Tall Tales)

Day 4: The Devil Made Me Do It (And Other Tall Tales)Scripture Focus: Genesis 3:12c-13

"...she gave me from the tree, and I ate... The serpent deceived me, and I ate."

Additional Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:13

Cowboy Wisdom: Every good cowboy story has a villain, and both Adam and Eve were quick to cast theirs. Adam blamed his circumstances—wrong place, wrong time, wrong woman. Eve went straight for the snake: "The serpent deceived me." It's the classic "the devil made me do it" defense.

Now, don't get me wrong—the devil is real as a rattlesnake and twice as dangerous. He'll tempt you, lie to you, and try to lead you astray. But here's what he can't do: he can't make you sin. He can dangle the bait, but you choose whether to bite.

We use the same excuses today: "I was at the saloon and someone bought me a drink." "I was stressed about the cattle prices, so I lost my temper." "Everyone else was cuttin' corners, so I did too." "My situation was so bad that this seemed like the only way out."

But a real cowhand knows that circumstances don't make choices—people do. You might find yourself in a tough spot, ridin' through a storm, or dealin' with ornery cattle, but how you respond is always up to you.

God promises that He'll never let you face more temptation than you can handle, and He always provides a way out. Sometimes that escape route is as simple as walking away, sayin' no, or calling out to the Lord for help.

Questions for Reflection:

1. What circumstances do you use as excuses for poor choices—stress, tiredness, peer pressure, or tough times?
2. How might your life change if you stopped seein' yourself as a victim of circumstances and started making godly choices regardless of the situation?
3. What "escape routes" has God provided in your areas of temptation that you might be overlookin'?
   
   

Prayer Focus: Lord, help me recognize temptation before it gets the best of me. Show me the way out that You always provide, and give me the strength to take it. Help me make good choices even when circumstances are tough, and remind me that You're always there to help when I call.