Does Demonic Influence Negate Personal Responsibility?
How To Think About Demonic Influence and Human Responsibility
Here’s another thought related to my previous discussion on the “Spirit of Jezebel.” This came up during a conversation I had with Cultish. This one won’t be as lengthy because it’s pretty straightforward.
There seems to be a prevailing idea among reformed individuals (my own camp) that there's a risk in attributing certain temptations to demonic influence because it might diminish the responsibility of the individual who has yielded to their own desires. I actually received a few comments along the lines of “the devil made me do it.” Additionally, I understand that Justin Peters apparently presented a similar argument in a podcast around the same time.
Honestly, I find this line of thinking to be rather simplistic. Not only do I consider it simplistic, but I also view it as contradicting biblical and covenantal principles (It’s worth noting that Justin Peters' statement of faith on his website doesn’t include the word “covenant” at all, nor does the statement of faith of his church).
Here's how I think of this conundrum. Many years ago, a man shared with me a principle that has since become a guiding force in my life. He said, "It may not be your fault, but it's always your responsibility."
This principle holds true in the context of spiritual warfare as well. Sometimes, engaging in spiritual battles may not be intentional; it can happen inadvertently, much like stumbling upon a beehive. However, regardless of how one finds themselves in such a situation, the responsibility to address and navigate through it remains theirs.
This principle is evident in Scripture.
In Genesis, God established a covenant with Adam. God acted as the suzerain, and Adam as the vassal, which placed upon him the responsibility of upholding its terms — "In the day that you eat of the tree, you shall surely die” (Gen. 2:17). Now, was it Adam's fault that God permitted the presence of a serpent — a spiritual being identified in Scripture as Satan in the garden? No. But was it Adam's responsibility to resist the deception and protect himself and his wife from it? Yes.
In the Gospels, Satan went into Judas while he was involved in the establishment of the signs of the New Covenant (Luke 22:3; John 13:27). Who was accountable for Judas' betrayal of Jesus — Satan or Judas? Judas bore that responsibility.
So, it is the same for all of us. Despite external influences, Scripture does not support the notion that "the devil made me do it." We are always responsible for our actions. This becomes clear when viewed through the lens of covenant. We have obligations within our covenant, and when we fail to meet them, the responsibility lies with us.
When we say, "but the devil made me do it," we echo Adam's blame-shifting response, "but the woman you gave me made me do it." The character King Baldwin IV from the film Kingdom of Heaven touches on this theme in a relevant way. When Balian is before him, King Baldwin imparts some sage wisdom:
"A King may move a man, a father may claim a son, but remember that even when those who influence you are kings or powerful men, your soul is in your keeping alone. When you stand before God, you cannot say, 'But I was told by others to do thus,' or that 'Virtue was not convenient at the time.' This will not suffice. Remember that."
Your soul is within your own care. You are responsible. It may not always be your fault, but it's always your responsibility. Recognizing this truth clearly enables us to acknowledge a dual reality — there exists an unseen realm that seeks to influence us, and we bear the responsibility for how we allow ourselves to be influenced. It’s really as simple as that.
Nice work! I particularly like your reference to Adam and the garden. I think the textual evidence is only magnified by the Hebrew verbs “work and keep” that will be applied later on in scripture.
Adam was responsible to keep the snake out of the garden, yet he was caught derelict of duty.