Today's story is funny. The boy was usually in trouble. His mother asked, "Johnny, why do you always misbehave?" "It's the devil, Mom," Johnny said. He's always making me do wrong!" "Johnny, you can't blame everything on the devil," his mother answered with a knowing smile. Sometimes you!"

Our message today is "Stop Blaming the Devil; Own Up to Your Sin." "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us," says 1 John 1:8-9, our foundational verse. He forgives and cleanses us if we confess our sins."

In Genesis, Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit, then blame each other and the serpent. They sought to avoid personal accountability, but God held each of them accountable.

Lewis stated, "A man who admits no guilt can accept no forgiveness." It's profound. If we continuously accuse the devil, we excuse ourselves of personal responsibility, making it hard to repent and seek God's pardon.

1 Samuel 15's Saul. Saul spared King Agag and the best livestock when God ordered him to annihilate the Amalekites. Prophet Samuel approached Saul, who blamed the people for his disobedience. The Lord dismissed Saul as king because he refused to acknowledge his wickedness.

King David contrasts. David instantly confessed and repented when Prophet Nathan questioned him about Bathsheba. He took full responsibility. David repents in Psalm 51: "For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me."

"But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed," James 1:14-15 says. After desire conceives, it gives birth to sin, which grows into death. It's a reminder that sin starts with us.

Stop Blaming the Devil; Own Up to Your Sin.

"Lord, help us to admit our sins and not blame others," we pray. Help us confess and repent. Thank you for forgiving and cleansing us. Jesus' name, Amen."

Dear brothers and sisters, as we begin this week, let's admit our sins and stop blaming the devil or others. God forgives without limit. Let's quickly repent and obtain His pardon when we make mistakes.

Have a blessed week!