Hollow and Deceptive Philosophy

Good Morning,

Colossians 2:6-15 (NIV)
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.
When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
(Emphasis mine, DRB)

We're sent a warning in these verses...especially verse 8...that too many of us either don't really understand, don't take seriously, or feel we're too smart to get caught up in these "hollow and deceptive philosophies."

Here's the thing that is so damaging, and maybe even damning, about this. That would be that there are those who take the Bible and turn it and twist it and define what it says in ways that are simply NOT what God has to say to us.

So, today's "message" is going to be pretty short and to the point. What I feel God is saying to me...and to all of us...is to be very, very careful about what we believe when people use the Bible as their "source" but twist the meaning and put their own "spin" on what it says. We have to be extremely cautious when we read or hear or see things that seem so easy to take to heart, but that are being touted by people with their own agenda...not God's agenda...for what they say.

"See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy..." Unfortunately, we...many of us...are easily persuaded by some things we hear, see, and read because, well, because it just sounds good to our ears and it fits into what we think is good. Remember, many of these various "philosophers" and even some "preachers" have their own programs, for whatever reason, that are designed to move us away from where we ought to be.

Beware. Be careful. Just because it sounds good, doesn't make it good. Just because the person saying it might be held up by some people, doesn't make them right. If there are some who are leading you down this path or that which is filled with hate and/or fear, well, think a moment and see if, perhaps, that might NOT be from God. Last time I checked, God doesn't work that way.

God works with love and caring, hope and faith.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David