These verses reflect the nature of debate in Islam. When teaching youth to debate academically, I explain a principle that may guide them not only strategically but in adab: 'you don't debate to prove you're right. You debate to understand the truth.' This was a principle I was taught by a mentor of mine and it saved me many times from my ego. It is a principle that many scholars of our tradition exemplify because we're reminded that the search for ilm (knowledge) can only be guided by Al-Aleem (The All-Knowing) and Allah will not guide one who is arrogant to His truth. I'm reminded of the 26th verse of Surat Baqara which highlights how one can engage with the Quran, an Eternal source of guidance, and still leave misguided. 
These verses also emphasize to us to be mindful of who we take as thought leaders, be it who we follow on Twitter or whose academic articles we read. Allah tells us that to take shaitan as a 'protector' is foolish. But remember, is mentioned is surat Nas, we seek refuge in Allah from the devils AND the humans who parade as devils. #Knowledge #ilm  #SuratAlHaj 