We’re going through Paul’s letter to the Colossian church. In my last post, Paul talked about the basic fundamental truth of our salvation. That is the fact that Jesus Christ is both Lord and Savior.
Now the apostle wants to make sure that their foundation is secure. They need to possess a Christian worldview. That’s especially important in the age we currently live in.
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 NIV
He starts with a warning. To put it in terms of our language, he says, “Watch out!” There are those whose goal is to take your mind as a trophy for their point of view. That’s what the literal Greek of the verse says.
That’s what so many people of the world are doing these days. Their arguments sound logical and reasonable on the surface. But, taken to their conclusion, they only lead to wrecked lives.
Paul describes this as hollow and deceptive philosophy. These words speak of two things we should avoid. The first is human wisdom that the world is fond of. It’s a way of looking at the world that someone is comfortable with.
The second is empty delusions. These are conclusions based upon how I want things to be, rather than how they really are. That’s how much of the educational system of America operates these days.
Paul exposes the foundation of these worldviews. He says that they’re based upon human tradition and worldly principles. It’s interesting that the word, tradition, comes from a root that means to surrender.
By holding to a tradition, we’re surrendering to the way things have always been done. Or, we believe something because that’s what everyone in our sphere of influence believes.
Worldly principles means that you order things, prioritize things, the way the world does. That needs to be changed. As a believer, Christ and His will should be my number one priority. My whole life should be based on Christ.
That’s why our society is in such a sorry state. Suicides are out of control. Fear and anxiety are at such a level that counseling and therapy are a normal part of life. (Please realize that I’m not saying to stop counseling or therapy if it’s needed.)
What I’m saying is that we need to check our spiritual foundation. What are we basing our life upon? Where do I get my wisdom and opinions from?
In our generation, we need to be getting massive doses of the Word of God. I can’t base my life on what everybody around me believes. That includes the Christians around me. I need to check what they say against the Word.
I even encourage you to check my teaching. Be like the Berean Christians in the book of Acts.
Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
Acts 17:11 NIV
What we need in our generation are more “noble” Christians.
Question: How do you check your worldview?
© 2023 Nick Zaccardi
The Spirit and the Word 