James 1:12-15
Back in the 1970’s there were a number of black comedians that received wide acclaim. Among them were: Red Foxx, Bill Cosby, Dick Gregory and Flip Wilson. And except for Sammie Davis, Jr., Flip Wilson became the only black entertainer to host his own TV show for four seasons. Among his comedy routines there was a black lady by the name of Geraldine. You remember Geraldine? She was always getting into trouble and whenever she did, Flip would put one arm on his hip and with his head cocked back, he’d hollar out in that shrill, feminine voice, “The devil made it do it … the devil made me do it!” And TV audiences around the country would laugh and chuckle, but what people failed to realize was that Flip Wilson was theologically correct! The devil, also known as Satan, or Lucifer IS the great deceiver. He is the great tempter. But his powers are limited. He cannot force us or compel to do anything. And so he tries to appeal to our natural instincts, our base desires in much the same way as when he tempted Eve in the garden.
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