Modern pluralistic thinking assumes human beings are basically good. The 1960s American TV comedian Flip Wilson parodied the notion of human nature gone awry with his famous line, "The devil made me do it!" But is there some truth to his line?

Jesus Christ, speaking to His apostles, said, "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" (Matthew 7:11).

The prophet Jeremiah tells us that "the [human] heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick" (Jeremiah 17:9, New American Standard Bible). The fact is that Satan the devil is "the god of this age" (2 Corinthians 4:4) and that "the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one" (1 John 5:19). Scripture also refers to him as "the tempter" (see Matthew 4:3).

The devil has a powerful influence on humankind to do evil, although human beings still have a choice and can do good. If you'd like to learn more, request or download our free booklet Is There Really a Devil?