When I was a much younger man, there was a comedian on TV who portrayed a lady whose trademark phrase for her indiscretions was "the devil made me do it". We all laughed at Flip Wilson and "Geraldine" but the sad thing is that a multitude of folks actually try to justify their own transgressions with the same excuse. It is quite common to hear men attribute their evil actions to the devil as if he was the moving cause of their sin. From the very beginning man has tried to blame someone else for his sin. Adam blamed the woman. The woman blamed the serpent. But who was really to blame?
We are quite convinced by the testimony of the scripture that sin entered the world and subsequently the death which it caused according to the predestined purpose of Almighty GOD. GOD is the first cause of all things and nothing transpires in this world or any other apart from HIS foreordination and determined will. Sin and its subsequent penalty were as much ordained by GOD as was the remedy for it which was manifested for the elect sons of GOD in the redemption which was purchased for them by the LORD JESUS CHRIST. The covenant of grace was made before the foundation of the world and the elect of GOD were determined before any had done evil or good. (see Rom.9:11) GOD does not do things in retrospect or hindsight since HE knows the end from the beginning and determines all that lays between. That being said, can GOD be blamed for sin? The emphatic answer of the scripture is "no". The living GOD of heaven and earth is above the reproach of men and HIS honor and reputation can in no way be besmirched by any of HIS creation regardless of their attempts to do so. Let not any man think that he can lay the blame for his sin at the LORD's feet even though his every action is determined by HIM who directeth the steps of every man who has ever moved about the earth.
Judas Iscariot fulfilled the exact will and purpose of GOD for his life yet Judas could in no way blame GOD for the wickedness which teemed within his own heart and moved him to betray the LORD JESUS for thirty pieces of silver. Judas could take no other course yet he was to blame for his sin. The LORD sent a "lying spirit" (see I Kgs.22:21-23) into the mouths of the false prophets but these men gladly spake according to their own desire and this "lying spirit" was but acting according to its own nature. The wickedness of men stems out of their own corrupt nature which makes them willing participants in all manner of evil unless they are restrained from such by the mercies of GOD. There is no bound upon this wickedness except that which GOD is pleased to set forth. "Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain."(Psa 76:10) So the man who would attempt to blame GOD for his sin is both ignorant of the holy character of GOD and of his own corrupt nature.
Any time a discussion of the absolute predestination of all things comes up somebody always feels compelled to set forth the disclaimer, "GOD is not the author of sin" as if those who believe HIM to be the first cause of all events will somehow deny the scripture and lay blame for their own wickedness at HIS feet. There are probably some who do try to do this since man's basic instinct is to try to minimize his own blame, but those who would do so have never been humbled in the dust of repentance which will never allow a man any sort of reply except that of David, "For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me." (Psa 51:3-5) No sin can occur without HIS "authority" since HE is able to restrain it but the only one to be blamed is the transgressor who gladly embraces his own wickedness apart from a deliverance from it by the LORD. Man in his bent towards evil is in perfect contrast to the GOD of heaven and earth who will not so much as look upon sin (see Hab.1:13) for "GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." (Gen 6:5)
We see this contrast most evidently when we look upon the LORD JESUS CHRIST who came into the world born of a woman just like every other man who has been born in time. HE "was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." (Heb 4:15) In fact, HE "did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:" (1Pe 2:22) The reason that HE committed no sin was that HE had no corruptible nature. HE said to HIS disciples, "for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me." (John 14:30) The prince of this world has no power at all against HIM who is without a sin nature. It is impossible that HE should in any way be tainted with the corruption of any sin . The LORD JESUS was free from sin in every aspect except that HE willingly and effectively bore the penalty and guilt of our sin on Calvary's cross. HE who was totally without sin "became" sin for us, HE who could not be blamed for our sin, took our blame and nailed it to HIS cross, setting us forever free from any condemnation. What a glorious SAVIOR! "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace." (Eph 1:3-7)
mam