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. Colossians 2:8
This is a verse of scripture that many times I have glossed over, just read and continued without giving much thought to it. Sometimes I have thought about it a little, and thought that I knew what it is talking about. Still not having any deeper thoughts about it. There is something about this verse that has a great significance upon the way we think and do things. There is a deep truth within this verse.
It talks about philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men. It talks about philosophy and deception according to the elementary principals of the world. What are these? There is some explanation in the rest of the chapter of Colossians 2. Indeed this verse 8 is the tone setting verse for the book of Colossians. So let us look a bit deeper into what is being said.
What is philosophy to begin with? There are a few slightly different definitions. Here are a couple that will help us to understand What Paul is saying to the Colossians.
1. Philosophy is the study or creation of theories about basic things such as the nature of existence, knowledge, and thought, or about how people should live.
2. Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental questions, such as those about existence, reason, knowledge, values, mind, and language. Such questions are often posed as problems to be studied or resolved.
From these two definitions we can see that philosophy is about the creation of ideas and theories that come from within the minds of men. It is mans study into things apart from God. It brings in man’s ideas about how things are and should be, and how to work things out, apart from God. These things are then attached, or imported, incorporated into Christian thinking alongside the word of God. Paul was warning against this.
Making man’s reasonings as important or equal to the Word of God. This needed to be warned against, and still needs to be warned against in this day and age of the twenty-first century. So much so because the influences of the world of man’s thinking has been accepted into the teaching of Christendom for a couple of thousand years. More so in the last few hundred years. These things are so subtle that we are almost unable to differentiate between truth and philosophy.
We have been taught a combination of things, and we just accept that they are right. The reason for this is that we do not question things as we ought to. The world does, especially about religion. The World sees that there are inconsistencies in what we teach, and how we live. They see that there is hypocrisy in that what is taught and lived is not truth.
These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence. Colossians 2:23
We as the Church in general cannot see the wood for the trees, so to speak. It is a sort of case of that is how we have been taught it must be right because we trust our teachers. The thing is that our teachers may have been taught wrong. It is not there fault. In the last few years I have understood many things that have been taught wrong, and have come across many people who will reject what is right. Maybe because they do not want to accept that they have been taught wrong.
Some are so committed to their church and the doctrines associated with their church, they dare not question the doctrines. That to their minds would be heresy. The truth is we all have bibles, some translations are better than others, but we can all read the truth. Though we do not all have the ability or inclination to search out the real truths that are contained.
The early Church did not have bibles they just had the teaching as it came from the teachers and preachers. I have seen it, something new, a different way to see things comes along and it is incorporated into the way of understanding the truth. A philosophy according to man, that has come from some world view. Most world views of things actually come from the influence of our enemy the devil.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 NASB1995
The wisdom of the world is the philosophy that Paul is talking about, empty deception according to the tradition of man. Look at that word, ‘Tradition’ we in the church live and are controlled by so many traditions of man. Without the Holy Spirit and the Word we would not be able to determine the difference between tradition and truth. In Colossians 3 Paul tells us to keep seeking the things above, where Chris is seated. Keep seeking first the Kingdom of God, meditate on the word day and night.
For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.” Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 1 Corinthians 1:18-21
Wisdom of the wise, worldly wisdom is apposed to Godly wisdom. The trouble that we have is that many Christians have adopted the wisdom of the world, and incorporated it into The Faith. It is not quite as simple as blaming people for receiving these things. In the last hundred years there are areas of philosophy, and psychology that have seen that some of the ideas they were promoting are to be found within the teaching of the Bible. They have then applied biblical principles to the things they are teaching about the mind and how it works.
Then in turn Christians see these Christian principles within psychology and philosophy and think mistakenly that is a part of Christian teaching. This is why relying upon these things instead of the pure word of God is dangerous. Psychology is a type of philosophy. There are many Christian that trust in psychology to solve their problems rather than the Word of God; instead of trusting in the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
The wisdom of God or the wisdom of the world; which one should I trust?
Blessings in the Lord
Charlie
