Don't Get It Twisted

Q: Do you have a list of ways the devil can twist the truth and have us believe this is okay? Small things that are done in everyday life.

A: Thank you for a great question. The devil is the "father of lies (John 8:44)." However, there is not any formal list that details the ways in which the devil twists the truth. Personally, I would not be concerned about how the devil is twisting the truth. Rather, be more concerned about knowing what is the truth. There is an example from the banking industry that we can use. Bank Tellers are trained to handle real dollar bills. They work exclusively with real money so when they handle a counterfeit bill they can recognize it immediately and take the appropriate action. As Christians we have the indwelling Holy Spirit that leads us into all truth by discerning what is of God and what is not. Therefore, we do not have to be overly concerned about identifying how the devil twists the truth. We are already inoculated against his error because we know what truth is; Jesus Christ.

Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:31-32)." Jesus is the truth. As a Christian, you know Him, and because of that you have Him discerning truth for you. Keep in mind that if truth sets you free then error enslaves you. If you spend time trying to find a list of the ways the Devil twists the truth, your entire focus will be on the devil and his error. And if you do not know the truth how will you be able to determine if what you believe is the truth or if the devil is twisting it? "The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:14)." Unbelievers, those without the Spirit of God, do not accept the things that come from the Spirit. That is why many unbelievers believe the truth of the Bible is foolishness. They are unaware that they have fallen prey to the devil's twisting of the truth. But, as a believer we have the Spirit of God discerning truth for us.

If there was a list of the ways in which the devil twists the truth, it would be endless! I do not believe we really need a list when his error is in our face on a daily basis. Look at all the false religions out there claiming to be the truth and denying Jesus as "the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6)." Look at the way sins like abortion and homosexuality are promoted as being normal and acceptable. Look at the way in which many so called Christian's compromise the Bible in order to recruit more members into their churches. Look at the way that the Christian heritage of the United States is being changed for a more secular society. "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18)." If you do not believe the message of the cross, that you are a sinful, fallen individual in need of forgiveness and the resurrected life of Christ, anything that comes from faith in Christ is foolishness to you. It is through knowing the truth that you are able to try and reach those who are most in need of it.

When people are believing that the twisted truth of the devil is okay, it is usually because they do not know the truth. It is as simple as that. The Bible encourages Christians to "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes (Ephesians 6:11)." Notice how the emphasis is on the armor of God not the devil's schemes. The armor of God is knowing God's truth. I encourage you to study God's list of truth, the Bible, not any list of how the devil twists it. When the devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness how did Jesus respond? Every time the devil tempted Jesus, He responded with "it is written." The combination of knowing the Word of God, and allowing His indwelling Spirit to discern it for you, is the answer to defending against the twisting of that truth by the devil. I would not be surprised if the reason you ask this question is because you believe you are seeing error, twisted truth, in some area of your life. If that is the case, rejoice in that because it is evidence of the Holy Spirit working in your life. Be blessed.