Colossians 2:8 "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."
Beware Philosophy:-
What do other translations say:-
Good News Bible:- "See to it, then, that no one enslaves you by means of the worthless deceit of human wisdom, which comes from the teachings handed down by men and from the ruling spirits of the universe, and not from Christ."
New International Version:- "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."
New American Standard Bible:- "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ."
If we are not to follow philosophy, vain deceit, or traditions of men, then what are we to follow:-
Colossians 2:6 & 7 "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving."
If we are established in Christ Jesus we shall be known not just by what we say, but what we do:-
Matthew 7:16 - 18 "Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit."
What are we to do with all the human reasonings then:-
2 Corinthians 10:5 "Casting down imaginations (speculations and reasonings), and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;"
If we depend on reasoning, we could prove nearly anything. Here is an example:-
"When we drink we get drunk,
When we get drunk we go to sleep,
When we sleep we commit no sin,
When we commit no sin we go to heaven,
So let’s all get drunk and go to heaven!"
But what does the Bible say about being drunk:-
1 Corinthians 6:9 & 10 "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God."
May we all plant our feet firmly on the Word of God, not on philosophy and/or vain deceit.
© S. D. Goeldner, February, 2011. Last updated July, 2020.
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