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. – Colossians 2:8
The people of the biblical world in the first century were surrounded by varied philosophies, including Gnosticism, Pantheism, Polytheism, idle “fancies,” and wild imaginings. Convincing arguments were made for these concepts to appeal to the nature of humankind. People today live in the midst of often corrupt worldviews, extremes in the diversity of politics, and the purported strengths of psychology. Proponents often subtly hide the truth of their philosophies, but they are just as often in conflict with the Word of God.
The warnings from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the people of Colossae in today’s verse are just as necessary now as they were then. Your soul’s relationship with God is in peril if you are influenced by the ideas of false teachers. Theologian Charles Spurgeon writes, “Beware of those who pretend that they are going to enrich you, but whose real object is to plunder you. They say that they will give you advanced thought, deeper ideas, a system more congruous with the age.”
Many Christians would like to believe that they are immune from being deceived. Your mind is a vessel that is capable of holding many thoughts and ideas. To the extent you fill it with the things of the Lord and the Word of God, you avoid entertaining vain philosophies. Cling to Christ and measure new ideas by the light of the Word of God. Reject the half-truths being handed out in the “isms” of the day. “For it is no empty word for you, but your very life” (Deuteronomy 32:47).
Today’s Verse: 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.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 1 John 4:1-6
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. 4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5 They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
