Thinking Biblically: Are You A Captive to Your Belief System?
Colossians 2:8 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.
Here we have a very informative warning from the Bible whereby it is warning the Colossian church (and us today) about being lead astray from the liberty that is found in Jesus Christ. The verse here in our text is commanding us ("See to it") to have a discerning eye regarding philosophies and other human ideas that are really tricks to make us slaves. These ideas may seem liberating and very logical to our senses, but in reality are robbers that have only one purpose--to steal you away from Biblical convictions as found in Scripture (Galatians 5:1; Matthew 16:6; 2 Peter 3:17). These tricky ideas may stem from human tradition (commonly held cultural ideas--"the philosophy") about our origin and purpose for life and can even come from religion itself ("elemental spirits"). Yet, when any of these ideas are taken its logical conclusion--they are found to contradict what the Scripture teaches about Jesus Christ ("according to Christ").
When thinking through this verse, and being honest with its warnings, is it not right to consider some of the human traditions that we commonly have taught in our culture today as being nothing more than a way to make people slaves?
What cultural thinking are you a slave of today that keeps you from truly thinking clearly? Remember, the Bible teaches that Jesus Christ came into the world to give people life and liberty from the bondage of sin (Luke 4:18; John 3:16; John 5:24; John 10:10; John 10:28; 2 Corinthians 3:17). What idea do you believe today that has clouded your thinking? Who is your master? Think about it. Be honest. If you are truthful with yourself, and search the Scriptures, the Bible will liberate your thinking! I close with two verses:
2 Peter 2:19 They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.
Isaiah 1:18 "Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
Pastor Steve
Psalm 119:89
