John 6:70 “Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?”
Even in the midst of the greatest work and workers for the Lord, the devil is also at work. He infiltrates by planting his workers in the Churches and ministries with the intent of sowing seeds of discontent, disharmony and false doctrine. He is a master at his trade and has done a good job of deception.
He never reveals his true identity or his intentions. Paul warns of this in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”
His intention is to hinder the gospel and deceive the people. I Thessalonians 2:18 “Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.”
He hinders by planting false preachers, teachers and leaders into positions of influence in the Churches. Matthews 13:24-25 “Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, the kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: 25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.” Matthews 7:15 “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”
He also hinders by casting doubt on the honesty of Jesus and his Word. Luke 11:53,54 “And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and Pharisees began to urge him vehemently to speak of many things. 54 Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.”
And also by hindering obedience to the Word of truth (the Bible), Galatians 5:7, 8 “Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.”
And then he hinders by perverting the gospel, Galatians 1:6, 7 “I marvel that you are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel.”
By making it a gospel of works. Titus 3:5-7 “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost ; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Paul, in Romans 4;4,5 makes it abundantly clear that salvation is by grace with no admixture of works; “Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”
Further proofs from the Scripture in Romans 11:5,6 “Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 6 And if by grace, then it is no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” Works are only good after salvation! If it’s not of grace, it’s not salvation!
Therefore we conclude that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to Ephesians 2:8,9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.”