I’d like to share something from the Scripture with you. It’s from 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.
This verse contains a warning. It warns us not to be taken captive by philosophy and empty deceit.
What does it mean with ‘philosophy and empty deceit’?
The verse explains the characteristics: ‘according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.’
So these are beliefs that sound good on the surface but doesn’t actually follow the teachings of Christ. Many people accept these beliefs. They may even pass them through generations. But they are not the truth.
What should we do with such beliefs? The verse says that we must reject them. We must live by the truth instead.
One example is the notion about riches. Many people believe that wealth is the key to happiness. They forget that true joy comes from the Lord. So they pursue riches to make themselves happy. As a result, their lives become unfruitful.
Jesus talked about it in the Parable of the Sower:
Mar 4:18 And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word,
Mar 4:19 but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.
So let’s beware of philosophy and empty deceit. Let’s live by the truth of Christ instead!
