A few weeks after I obeyed the Gospel of Christ, I attended a Bible class where the teacher declared, "I am going to play the devil's advocate." At the time, I didn't understand what he meant; but I vividly remember being very uncomfortable with what he said. Seemingly, this man "loved" playing the devil's advocate, because he repeatedly used the phrase. Sadly, this man is no longer "playing" the part--he's now living it!
To some, this may not seem to be an important issue, but to me it is. Recently, I held a Gospel Meeting at a church in Washington. One of the members was a young man, who was also very young in the faith. During the course of a conversation we had, he said, "Let me play the devil's advocate." I immediately stopped him, and asked, "Do you realize what you are saying? Being a Christian is not a game! Why then would you want to pretend to stand on the devil's side?" We continued to talk, but in a short time, he began to repeat the same phrase, but he stopped. It had become a habit. Brethren, I ask, where had he heard such a thing? I don't know, but I do know where I've heard it--from the mouths of Christians!
Consider for a moment the following definitions:
- Play - "To take part in a game. To act in jest or sport. To deal or behave carelessly or indifferently. To assume the role of. To pretend to be, or mimic the activities of." (American Heritage Dictionary)
- Devil - "An accuser, a slanderer, one of Satan's names. A malignant enemy of God and man, who accuses man to God." (Vine's Expository Dictionary)
- Advocate - "To speak in favor of; recommend. A person who argues for a cause; a supporter or defender. A person who pleads in another's behalf; an intercessor." (American Heritage Dictionary)
And some Christians want to "play" the devil's advocate? Do these Christians really understand what they are saying? Could they be in danger of getting "too close to the fire"?
The Bible teacher to whom I earlier referred would stand before the congregation, make that bold statement, and then, in an effort to get the brethren to see the differences between Truth and error, proceed to "advocate" that which was not the Truth. Obviously, as soldiers of Christ, we must expose the errors that lead souls to hell. However, must we do it by "playing the devil's advocate?"
- "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)
- "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." (Ephesians 4:29)
- "Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks." (Ephesians 5:4)
- "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." (Ephesians 5:11)
- "See then than ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise." (Ephesians 5:15)
Jesus never played the devil's advocate. Why should we? Is He not our example? "... Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth:" (1 Peter 2:22) We need to wield the "Sword of the Spirit," (Ephesians 6:17), not the tools of Satan! We need to defend the Truth (cf. Jude 3), but not by "acting out" the devil's attack on the Truth. Why not "fight the good fight of faith," (1Timothy 6:12)? Why not war a good warfare, (2 Timothy 2:1-5)? Why not "pull down the strongholds of the enemy" and expose the servants of the devil? Why not work at being Christ's advocate? " I am set for the defense of the Gospel." (Philippians 1:17) Dear reader, are you?
Brethren, we need to measure our words. The American Heritage Dictionary defines "measure" as "To consider or choose with care; weigh."
"A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the Day of Judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." (Matthew 12:35-37) Would you want to face Jesus in Judgment with the phrase "I played the devil's advocate" on your lips? As it is written, "Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things." (2 Timothy 2:7)
"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12)
"In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you." (Titus 2:7,8) These are scriptures that we need to soberly consider as we live in this world. What do others see and hear from us? What does God see and hear from us?
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:1-2)
"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak,..." (James 1:19)
Brethren, let us never again "play the devil's advocate." Rather, let us become "vessels unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the Master's use, and prepared unto every good work." (2 Timothy 2:21) Let us always bring forth the true treasure of God's Word. "Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God....But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." (2 Corinthians 4:1,2,7) Let us be advocates for Christ.
Over the years, I've met men who taught classes by pretending to be "advocates" for the devil. While I might understand doing this to stir up thought during a discussion among preachers, elders, and other mature Christians, it is dangerous to plant such "seed" in newborn babes. When "seed" is planted, crops grow. Let us just stick with the truth. That's what we all need to know, regardless how mature we are spiritually. (KMG)