Don’t be taken captive by worldly philosophy or deceit

“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.” (Col. 2:8 ESV)

The above passage warns us to watch out for several things that could trap you

• Philosophy: Philosophy has to do with matters concerning existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. A personal philosophy is summed up by one's ethical beliefs and/or goals in life for achieving success, love and happiness. There are many definitions for this, but it all boils down to whether your personal philosophy of life comes from a worldly point of view or comes from the Word of God.

“Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.” (1 Cor. 2:6-7 ESV)

• Empty deceit: Deceit is defined as anything to do with deception, duplicity, double-dealing, fraud, cheating,

trickery, fake, lying, pretense, treachery, crookedness, or scheming. The opposite of deceit is truth. “The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart;whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others.” (Psalms 15:2-3 NIV)

• According to Human tradition: “Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.” (2 Thess. 3:6 ESV)

• Elementary spirits of the world: “Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings.” (Col. 2:20-22 NIV)

• And not according to Christ: “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.” (Col. 2:9-10 NIV)