VAIN PHILOSOPHY!

VAIN PHILOSOPHY!

Col 2:6-8

6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

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.

           The Greek word for “spoiled” is sulagogeo and means to be lead away as booty. During any riot or war no property is safe from looting. Windows are smashed and doors are splintered to reveal treasure for the taking. In this same way Satan uses every opportunity to spoil those who are not on guard.

           One of Satan’s ploys is philosophy. Dr. Barnes, in his notes, describes philosophy as “plausible systems” of human thought. It might be this way or it could be that way! One pictures the statue of The Thinker with his elbow on his knee and his chin in his hand pondering the imponderable. The Greeks were very fond of philosophy.

Acts 17:21

21 (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)

           This philosophy was maintained by plausible arguments without any basis; ideas dreamed up from thin air. If adopted as guiding principles of life a man would be led astray. If enough people believe a lie over a very long time that lie becomes a tradition. One must be careful, however, not to replace a tradition with a new lie.

           Paul urged his audience to “walk” in Christ. This is from the Greek word peripateo which means “to walk all about, to live or to deport oneself as a follower. It is a lifestyle that is first intentional and then automatic.

Dear Lord, let me guard against long held traditions that are in error. Let me be cautious of newly introduced lies as well. Let me walk about as a follower of Christ purposefully until it becomes automatic. AMEN