Did the Devil Make Me Do It? by pastor and author Mike McKinley is a short yet highly relevant book on the topic of Satan and more importantly, how we as believers are to both understand our enemy and by understanding the enemy, how to properly fight against his efforts to steal, kill, and destroy.
I must say receiving this book was rather timely as this very topic came up for discussion in a Facebook forum I am involved in. The question as to Satan’s origins and how various passages in Scripture should be interpreted, specifically whether those passages actually depict Satan’s fall from heaven or whether they are more indicative of describing more earthly concerns, was one that was presented for discussion. McKinley’s approach to the origin of the enemy is very honest and I believe is well in keeping with a proper understanding of passages such as Isaiah 14. While Isaiah may have not been actually describing Satan’s fall from heaven, that does not mean Scripture is not clear on the character of the enemy nor can we state that Scripture does not desire for us to understand how our enemy operates. It is these issues which McKinley aptly discusses in great detail and that form the backbone of his book.
The very title of McKinley’s book is also very apt as it interacts with the false impression that most people have about Satan. As noted in another excellent book, Torn to Heal by Mike Leake, “Dualism is the idea that the universe is in a cosmic battle between two forces – one good and one evil – with neither side completely able to master the other. In its Christian form, “this view is sometimes refined to make Satan either the personification of evil or the personal evil genius behind evil, in exactly the same way that God is the genius behind good…however, in this view neither Satan nor God is absolute; neither is omnipotent.” McKinley avoids such a false approach correctly noting a very fundamental truth, that of “the evil one is always, and in every way, subservient to the will of God.” While Satan may have what on the surface appears to be some level of authority on this earth, McKinley rightly states “while Satan is a powerful being with authority in the realm of demons, he never has independence from God or power that begins to rival God’s.” McKinley wonderfully states the posture believers must have when combating the evil one or when suffering comes our way. In all things, we must “resolve in our hearts and minds that we will trust God’s goodness and wisdom in all circumstances.” Why? Because God is sovereign and the enemy is not.
The chapter on demons and demon possession was truly enlightening. Many people rightly ask if Christians can be demon possessed. McKinley does an excellent job of explaining in great detail what terms like demon possession actually mean pointing out the more likely approach according to Scripture is that believers cannot be possessed. With that said, attacks against believers by demons and the evil one are certainly a reality although never outside God’s sovereign control. Furthermore, McKinley does an wonderful job reminding the reader of the type of battle we are engaged in, one that is a fight against principalities and spiritual wickedness that manifests itself in sinful behavior. His overview of what strongholds mean was biblically sound and a salient reminder that behind sinful behavior is spiritual depravity. It is not that the devil makes anyone do anything. Conversely, he merely preys upon our sinful desires in an effort to lure us away from serving God in all we do. This is why the believer must constantly don the full armor of God as we engage in this cosmic battle, one which McKinley adroitly reminds us “God is the victor and the devil’s destruction has been sealed.”
This of course begs the question of if God is the victor, why does evil still take place in the world. This is a question that often trips up believers and McKinley expertly addresses this issue by reminding us the final victory has been won, however, we live in a now but not yet scenario. We have the ultimate victory over sin and death, but until Christ returns to finally vanquish the enemy, sin, and death, we will still remain engaged in a battle, one that is won, but one that still is being fought in part. McKinley describes Satan as a “fatally wounded animal, lashing out and trying to do damage with his last moments. He is dangerous, but power and authority is found in the name of Christ; the outcome of the battle is not in doubt.”
McKinley’s “Did the Devil Make Me Do It?” is perhaps the best 78 page book I have ever read to date on spiritual warfare and who the enemy is while constantly focusing on God’s sovereignty. Short yet insightful, a quick read yet full of biblical truth, this book will provide valuable perspective on the nature of the battle we are in, how we are to fight it, and the reality that the outcome has been decided. These three truths are ones all believers need to grasp and to share with others who have questions about this topic. I highly recommend this excellent little book as a primer on spiritual warfare and how it should be fought. It is highly appropriate for scholars and layman alike and no, the devil did not make you do anything.
I received this for free from The Good Book Company via Cross Focused Reviews for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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