Seeds for 2/20/2023 - Colossians 2:8
Scripture: “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.”
Observation: This reminds me of the scripture where Paul states, “the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom.” For the recipients of this letter, no doubt the various philosophies of the Greco-Roman world held particular attraction for their society.
Philosophy means literally, “love of wisdom.” Everyone has a worldview, or belief system, by which they live. Whether we recognize it or not, that worldview is structuring our assumptions about true and false, right and wrong. Often, we are blissfully unaware of these assumptions and their impact on our everyday life. This lack of awareness can have real consequences.
Paul is deeply interested in the continual building up and strengthening of our faith (v6-7). Why? He knows that we are suggestible creatures. A philosophy, or belief system, may sound good, especially when articulated by someone who is truly intelligent. Yet it could still be “hollow and deceptive” just the same.
I don’t remember when I put it together that smart ≠ correct. At some point I realized that if all the smartest people didn’t necessarily agree, that could only mean that being smart didn’t make someone right. An important truth of life is that we need to think for ourselves, while realizing that we never think by ourselves. So who will you think along with?
Paul wants the Christians in Colossae—and us—to continue growing deep, strong roots in their faith so that they may think with the mind of Christ, shaped by God’s Word in the scriptures, and supported by a Spirit-empowered community in honest pursuit of the wisdom of God. Otherwise, they’ll fall prey to whatever nice sounding philosophy comes their way, no matter how hollow it actually is.
Application: How can you stay alert about the various belief systems of the world? What can/do you do to build your faith in order to think with the mind of Christ?
Prayer: Lord, shape us both in heart and mind according to your Word and your wisdom, that we may recognize counterfeit belief systems when we see them. Amen.
“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:23)
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1 Stand up, stand up for Jesus
ye soldiers of the cross;
lift high his royal banner,
it must not suffer loss.
From vict'ry unto vict'ry
his army he shall lead
till ev'ry foe is vanquished
and Christ is Lord indeed.
2 Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
the trumpet call obey;
forth to the mighty conflict
in this his glorious day.
Ye that are men now serve him
against unnumbered foes;
let courage rise with danger
and strength to strength oppose.
3 Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
stand in his strength alone;
the arm of flesh will fail you,
ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the gospel armor,
each piece put on with prayer;
where duty calls or danger,
be never wanting there.
4 Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
the strife will not be long;
this day the noise of battle,
the next, the victor's song.
To him that overcometh
a crown of life shall be;
he with the King of glory
shall reign eternally.
Just read an article which I am sharing with Pastor Guy which relates to a global ground-swell against Christians. Global elites are pushing the philosophy we are terrorists and fascist. Very scary.