Paul once called the Word of God the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17).  It is the greatest defense we have against the assaults of the devil.  The problem is, among the people of God, there have always been those who lack the adequate knowledge necessary to protect them.

Hosea 4:6 (NKJV)
⁶  My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.

Notice, when God’s people lack knowledge, it is because they reject it.  God has always provided His people with His Word.  He has even commanded them to keep it before them.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (NKJV)
⁶  “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. ⁷  You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. ⁸  You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. ⁹  You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

The devil takes advantage of those who fail to follow the instructions above.  He uses false teachers to prey on those who cannot distinguish between the truth and a lie when it comes to the doctrine of Christ.  Paul often warned brethren about this.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (ESV)
¹³  For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. ¹⁴  And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. ¹⁵  So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

When at Ephesus, Paul warned the brethren of the perils of false teachers as well.

Acts 20:29-30 (ESV)
²⁹  I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; ³⁰  and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.

The only thing that can protect us against the onslaught of false doctrine with which the devil tries to overwhelm us is to be grounded and rooted in the Word of God.  Not only will this help us to withstand the attacks of false teachers, exposing them in the process (Ephesians 5:11), but it will also give us the strength to overcome all other obstacles of life.  Remember, faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17).  No one knows this better than the devil.

Let us all equip ourselves with the knowledge of God’s Word.  It will help us to know and do God’s will, without which we will never see the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 7:21).  Paul encouraged brethren to allow the words of Christ to dwell in them (Colossians 3:16) because he knew the power of God’s Word.  The Psalmist wrote, “I have stored up your Word in my heart, that I might sin against you” (Psalms 119:11).

Make a habit of feeding on the Word of God by studying your Bible regularly.  In doing so, you will escape the dangers produced by a lack of knowledge.    

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.