Why do people use the devil as a scapegoat for their own mistakes?

Question

Catch your son watching p**n? It's not ENTIRELY his fault... the devil was tempting him to sin.

Say something naughty? It only was the devil's influence, not your own fault!

I swear, I was sitting in a chapel service once, and the electricity went out. Instead of blaming the av kids (who plugged in WAY too many things, and admitted to their fault later) the pastor got on stage and went on this long spiel about how the enemy was trying to stop us from coming to God by blowing out the power. He even called on us to chase him out of the room with our prayers.

Why can't people just be responsible and admit to their own shortcomings rather than pin the blame on some imaginary creature?

Answer 1

This is an interesting question.

First of all, the devil, or satan is NOT imaginary. I assure you he is very real. He lives in the spiritual realm, and his demons do his handywork. If you don't believe in satan, then you can't believe in God, either. God created him as an angel, but he fell because of his pride. Anyway, satan does cause bad things to happen, but it is one's own CHOICE to yield to temptation and sin and follow satan. Adam and Eve did it, and everyone on this earth has probably done it at least once in their life. We are all sinners. There are only two ways. God and satan. So, if you're not following God, you are following satan. Jesus said that Himself. He said, "You are either with Me, or against Me." There is no other way. Christian teaching is that we are all held accountable for what we CHOOSE to do. We have a choice. That choice is called free will. God gave it to us. satan himself had free will. That's why he chose to go against God. Anyway, children are NOT held accountable by God until a certain age in their life when they can understand things.  Adults are accountable. It's true, the devil does cause us to sin, but only if we let him!  We can turn to the Lord, and resist the devil. The Bible tells us to "flee the devil."   It's really important to know the Word of God.   God Bless

Answer 2

Not all Christians think that way, mostly the fundies.  Although the devil is very real, and can mete out real havoc, not just temptations.

Answer 3

i don't know...that not Christian teaching...we are held responsible for our actions...no one makes us do anything...

Answer 4

It is easier to place the blame on something else.  Not wanting to take responsibility for their actions.  They would have to come to the realization that they had faults or issues within themselves.    I guess another term would be Denial.    

Answer 5

Xians are perfect and are never responsible for anything they UNLESS it involves god.