Recognizing the True Devil's Advocate
By Dean Collins
Sometimes, when discussing some issue or problem at work, at church, or in a conversation with friends, someone might say: “Let me play the devil’s advocate here.” Usually, that line precedes the speaker indicating that the opinion he or she is about to share is not their own, but one that should be considered in the conversation. The idea is that if we think about things from every angle, then maybe we will get to the right decision. The devil’s advocate line is not trying to create division, but rather, to help the group solve a problem.
According to the apostle Paul, there are those who may never say they are just playing the role of the devil’s advocate, but really are the devil’s advocate – and they probably don’t even realize it. Romans 16:17-20 gives us some concrete clues concerning those who might not be advocating for good, but for harm to the body of Christ.
The first thing we are to do is to “watch out” for those who cause division. Jesus prayed for unity in his body in John 17, and the Holy Spirit always works in us to bring unity with each other and to align us with God. But those who cause division are not acting in the Spirit and certainly are not answering the prayer of Jesus.
Paul didn’t beat around the bush, saying that persons who cause division and create obstacles for people to come to faith “do not serve our Lord Jesus.” Paul continued saying that the devil’s advocates are simply trying to satisfy their own appetites. They are driven by selfish desires and therefore will not work toward what is best for the body. They may sound smooth with their speech, and they might even use flattery to trick us into following them down the divisive path. Paul says our best strategy is to avoid them.
If you read the whole book of Romans and others of Paul’s epistles, you learn that the more we read and meditate on God’s word and seek him in prayer, the more God grants us wisdom and discernment. Our obedience to God’s word provides protection against those who are simply seeking to serve themselves and their ideas. Paul challenged the Roman church to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.
Paul then gave us a great word of encouragement: “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet”! What a great reminder that the struggles of this life, the temptations that come our way, and work of Satan will soon go away. Because of the finished work of Jesus on the cross, the enemy has no lasting grip on us.
The grace of the Lord Jesus is with us, and his grace will give us the strength to recognize and resist any and all who seek to disrupt believers who daily pray that God’s kingdom will indeed come on earth as it is in heaven.
Father, thank you for your word that gives us such practical ways to live. Thank you for showing us that we can avoid those who seek to cause division in the church. Today we surrender to you and ask that your grace and peace flow through us and into the lives of those we serve in your name. To you be glory today and forever through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Romans 16:17-20 ESV
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash
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