“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” (Colossians 2:8).
Who will we listen to
concerning our future, our welfare? A person who claims to have the answers to
our many problems or to Christ? I choose Jesus because Scripture; (Colossians
2:9) tells us all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form (Christ Jesus),
and we have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and
authority! Not some…but every power
and authority!
God has disarmed those powers
and authorities that desire to bring us ruin, making them a public spectacle,
triumphing over them by nailing the object of their humiliation to a cross. He
has given us life-instructions (His Word) to discern that which is, and which
is not, intended by Him for our life in Christ. His Holy Spirit is our
advocate. His Word says, “Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this
world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules”
(v.20).
We are wise when we set our
hearts on things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. We avoid
deceptive people and things when we set
our minds on things above, not on earthly things.