Can you avoid the traps set for you?
Colossians 2:8 – See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
In case you haven’t noticed, there are “forces out there” who are intent on drawing you away from the things of Christ, into forcing you to just live for yourself and for the moment, who are clawing for your attention—even at the hours of day when you set time aside to spend with the Lord! Beware! Traps have been set for you in culture changes, values adjustments, hidden agendas, even false religious teachings. As today’s verse suggests, these competing philosophies will drag you away from Christ.
But there is encouragement in the Bible for you to avoid those traps. God’s Word teaches you where to put your focus. Philippians 4:8 reminds you, “whatever Is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Your measuring rod is the Word of God. Anything that doesn’t measure up, needs to be discarded from your mind.
Pray With Us
God of Mercy, thank You for the gift of Your Holy Word, and the reminders that You have given that I do not need to be distracted by the things the world, the media, politicians, celebrities, and even well-meaning but erroneous friends throw at me. My mind is set to honor You in all that I do, and that includes my thoughts. Bind the distractions and the philosophies that want to confuse me. Let Your Son, Jesus Christ, who died for me, be the center of my attention. I pray this in His holy name,
Amen.
