"Don't Be Captive to Hollow and Deceptive Philosophy"

“Don’t Be Captive to Hollow and Deceptive Philosophy”

 

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.        Colossians 2: 8

 

Philosophy:  general principles of a field of knowledge. 

 

The Apostle Paul was not talking about ALL philosophy, but against FALSE philosophy.  Paul was concerned about FALSE teachers taking the Colossian believers captive with hollow, deceptive philosophy.  This hollow, deceptive philosophy was based on HUMAN tradition, rather than on Christ.  True Christian philosophy takes captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 

 

Following hollow, deceptive philosophy will lead one to not being able to acknowledge the truth, but to be in a state of perpetual learning.   2 Timothy 3:7, says of these people: “always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.  That learning is based on Human tradition and NOT on Christ.  Paul was concerned about their spiritual well-being.   

 

This type of philosophy based on HUMAN TRADITION and ELEMENTAL SPIRITUAL FORCES of this world is demonic and worldly, not godly and Christ-like.  Unless the believer is careful they may be taken ‘captive’ by these forces. 

 

Those who are at a HIGH risk of this HOLLOW, DECEPTIVE philosophy, are the ‘babes in Christ’, those who are still on the milk of the Word.  It is EXTREMELY important that a new convert to Christianity, be nurtured and taught the TRUTH of God’s Word, so they will, “No longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching, and by the cunning craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.”(Ephesians 4:14).  This nurturing and teaching should be done by the older, more mature, believers, who are grounded in the Word of God.

 

These new converts should be encouraged to attend church on a regular basis.  Especially to attend Bible studies, which is carried out through the Sunday School.   In order for them to grow and mature in their Christian walk and to be able to KNOW what God’s Word REALLY says.

 

If you are following a HOLLOW and DECEPTIVE philosophy, and seem to be in a perpetual learning state without being able to acknowledge the TRUTH, you need to COME to Christ and trust Him to set you FREE from that captivity.  You do that by:  Confessing your sins to God and asking Him for His forgiveness, believing, with ALL your HEART that Jesus died for YOU, and is alive in Heaven making intercession for you, before God, then accept His gift of SALVATION, and start following and growing in the TRUTH of CHRISTIAN philosophy.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!