The Work of Satan in the Church
A professor once challenged us in seminary to read the New Testament through the lens of redemptive history regarding Satan’s work. When we do, a pattern emerges: demon possession is mentioned less and less after the Gospels, while false doctrine is warned against more and more.
As Paul told Timothy:
“Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons.” (1 Timothy 4:1)
And Paul explained to the Corinthians:
“But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!” (2 Corinthians 11:3-4)
False doctrine is Satan’s primary tool to gain a foothold in the church. Many Christians wrongly assume that the greatest danger to the church comes from false religions on the outside, but the greater threat is false teaching within.
Paul, whom many today would dismiss as “paranoid,” was deeply concerned about false teachers rising from among the Ephesian elders:
“I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.” (Acts 20:29-30)
As John Gerstner once observed:
“The Ephesian elders were weeping because they would see Paul no more. Paul was weeping because false teachers would rise up from among the elders.”
False teaching is a real and powerful threat to the church of Jesus Christ. But false teaching is not Satan’s only strategy—false living is just as effective.
