Tongues of Discord: Satan's Divide and Conquer Tactic in Sowing Division
- Andy Nwebube
- Nov 17, 2023
- 2 min read
The Bible, in 2 Timothy 2:26, warns that those not redeemed by the Lord are ensnared by the devil, taken captive to do his will. This suggests that the devil manipulates people, compelling them to enact his desires, often unbeknownst to them.
This manipulation is not limited to non-believers. Even Christians, who might feel insulated from the devil's influence, are not exempt. The scripture in 1 Peter 5:8 reminds us that the devil, like a prowling lion, always seeks someone to devour, urging vigilance among all.
As it stands, our world falls under his influence, and his overarching mission is one of destruction: to steal, kill, and destroy, as John 10:10 describes. For those under God's protection and those yet to seek it, one of the devil's most effective instruments is the tongue. This is powerfully illustrated in James 3:5-10, where the tongue's potential for good and evil is bare.
James's warning to Christians about the perils of an untamed tongue underscores its potency. The tongue is likened to a fire, a restless evil full of deadly poison that can corrupt the whole body. Through the tongue, the devil orchestrates his sinister plans, including:
Boasting: Fostering arrogance and pride (James 3:5).
Corruption: Encouraging deceitful and manipulative speech (James 3:6).
Destructive Criticism: Using the tongue to harm others with negative words (James 3:6).
Cursing Others: Belittling or demeaning others (James 3:9).
Spreading Discord: Fomenting conflict and division (General theme of James 3:5-10).
Lying: Promoting falsehoods and misunderstandings (Implied in James 3:6).
Hypocrisy: Contradicting one's professed beliefs, praising God while cursing others (James 3:9-10).
These behaviours, instigated by the devil, seed division in families, friendships, workplaces, and even churches. It is crucial, therefore, for everyone, believers and non-believers alike, to heed the Bible's counsel and not give the devil a foothold in our lives (Ephesians 4:27).
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