Does the Devil Want to Confuse Us?

I have not had to sit for jury duty yet, but I did receive a subpoena to testify in a court case. Because of my earlier work as a sheriff’s department chaplain in another county, I was placed at a scene that allowed me to be a witness in this particular incident. Such cases are presented before a jury, and the jurors are left with the challenge of looking at all the evidence in order to make a judgment as to what the truth is. You do not have to be on a jury to face these same challenges. Mothers and fathers are faced with similar challenges as they attempt to resolve conflicts between their children as the kids give conflicting testimony and the parents must try sort out the truth.
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What about the matters of theology and Bible teaching (doctrine)? Do you think the Devil would like to give a little conflicting testimony himself? Let us not forget that he is the father of lies. (John 8:44)
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The Apostle Paul actually warns Timothy of this very danger of false teaching coming from Satan and his followers in 1 Timothy 4:1-3, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.”
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Paul is one of the most prolific writers of New Testament Scripture, and much of his writing includes warnings about false teaching. In verse 14, chapter 4 of Ephesians he alerts his readers, “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;”. Not only does the Devil recruit his demons for this terrible task, but he uses men to lead others astray with wrong teaching.
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We need to know what the truth is so that we do not fall for these false testimonies of Satan. You see when it comes to doctrine, the Devil is the great counterfeiter. He will take a little truth from Scripture, and distort it just enough to be extremely dangerous. The best way to recognize false teaching is to study true teaching. That means we need to study our Bibles. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” The more familiar we are with God’s word, the better we will be able to spot false doctrine. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

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Yes, the Devil does want to confuse us. The ideas of men and their teaching will change, but the word of God will endure forever. 1 Peter 1:24-25 tells us, “For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” God and His word do not change. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8
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Paul warned us about being carried by every wind of doctrine. One of the characteristics of false religious systems is that their beliefs change based on who is in power. I am so thankful that we have an unchanging Savior who has given us an unchanging word so that there might be a check on the lies of Satan. “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” 1 Peter 1:23