There is a bird called the northern mockingbird, the "many-tongued thrush," which can accurately imitate sounds it learns from other birds and some animals. It can sound like a robin, a cardinal, a bluebird, or a sparrow. It can mimic sounds from cats, dogs, frogs, crickets, and other animals, as well as artificial and electronic noises. It is a copycat that constantly learns new songs to sing. It is very talented, but it can cause confusion if someone believes their song is genuine, because it is not a bluebird at all.

Too many today are like the mockingbird. They have nothing original to say, but are simply repeating what they have heard from others, singing a song. How many have gotten messages, "forward this to all of your friends!" which just brings white noise and confusion to an already difficult situation. Many do not even read what they are spreading, and they add to the hate, bitterness, division, and confusion in the air. We need to check behind our teammates, and indeed, we need to be sure that we are still on God's team.

God is 100% authentic and fresh. satan is the opposite: a copycat, a mockingbird, a counterfeit, and he always brings confusion and chaos. It is smoke and mirrors, a cloak to hide behind like he doesn't even exist. Consider the first mention of satan in Genesis in his conversation with Eve:

(Genesis 3:1 ESV) Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God actually say, 'You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'?"

Did God actually say? Yes, He did. Beat it, snake. But the simple question made Eve begin to wonder, then things became awfully confused, and soon the fruit on the tree began to look pretty inviting. Next thing you know, they were booted out of the garden with the door locked behind them. It turns out that God actually meant what He said.

There is the enemy's camp, and there is God's camp. satan works to blur the lines and overlay them so that you cannot tell them apart, then hides in the confusion. God has nothing to hide, and He clearly lays out who is in His camp, and who is not. The followers of Jesus should be acting like Jesus, while the followers of satan will probably be acting like satan. Let's clear the air and compare the two so we can do an accurate camp check.

Jesus is the Creator, and He builds up. While satan is the destroyer, and tears down:

(Colossians 1:16 NASB) For by Him (Jesus Christ) all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.

(John 10:10 NASB) "The thief (satan) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I (Jesus) came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."

God is the Author of peace, while satan is the author of confusion and chaos:

(1 Corinthians 14:33 NKJV) For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

God brings unity, while satan brings division:

(Ephesians 4:1-3 NASB) Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

(Jude 17-19 NASB) …"In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts." These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit.

Check behind your teammates. Whose camp are they in? Are they walking in humility, gentleness, showing tolerance for one another in love, or are they mockers causing division? The mockingbird merely mocks others, but has nothing original to say, and the more their words, the less the meaning.

Jesus came to bring eternal life, while satan is the thief who tries to take it away:

(John 10:27-28 NASB) "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand."

(John 8:44 NASB) "You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies."

Lies, hate, murder, darkness, confusion, and chaos are all traits of team satan. Check behind your teammates. This is not rocket science. If it quacks like a duck, acts like a duck, looks like a duck, then perhaps it is a duck. Paul wrote it this way:

(Titus 3:9-11 AMP) But avoid stupid and foolish controversies and genealogies and dissensions and wrangling about the Law, for they are unprofitable and futile. [As for] a man who is factious [a heretical sectarian and cause of divisions], after admonishing him a first and second time, reject [him from your fellowship and have nothing more to do with him]…

"Avoid stupid and foolish controversies": I love that, simple and straight to the point. That is a word from God, clear and concise. As with everything that He said, the Lord Jesus Christ said it best of all:

(Matthew 7:17-20 NASB) So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

In the eyes of God, the end does not justify the means. Before you click forward or share, check behind your teammates. You will give an account for every idle word that you speak, and there is a strong possibility that what you wish on others will come home to visit you.

(Matthew 12:36–37 AMP) But I tell you, on the day of judgment men will have to give account for every idle (inoperative, nonworking) word they speak.

(Numbers 14:28 NASB) "Say to them, 'As I live,' says the LORD, 'just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will surely do to you;"

(Galatians 6:7 NASB) Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.

Anyone who wants to say those verses don't apply to them can feel free to do so, but I would advise against it, for God does not use words carelessly. He says what He means, and He means what He says. There is no confusion in His camp. Did God really say…? Yes, He did. Beat it, snake.

Separate yourself from the enemy's camp and do not get caught up in the chaos and confusion. Avoid stupid and foolish controversies that are a cesspool of sin. Rise above the hate, the bitterness, the division, and counter it with peace, love, and tolerance. Don't be a mockingbird who is simply copying others. When the fire of God falls, you don't want to be found in the enemy's camp.

You can pray this with me if you like:

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray that You help me see clearly and that You purify my thoughts. Please give me a clear vision and help me rise above the calamity that is coming. I want to be in Your camp. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!