Beware!
Colossians 2:8 says, “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.”
Paul tells us to “beware” or be on guard against “any man” who could spoil or corrupt our minds. There are many “false teachers” (2 Pet 2:1), and “deceitful workers” (2 Cor 11:13), in our world today who are misleading people through their “philosophy and vain deceit.” Their basis is “the rudiments of the world.” These rudiments are saturated with man’s religion and “ordinances” (v. 20). People who embrace them are trying to gain favor with God by observing man-made rites and ceremonies (Lev 18:3). But they all “come short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23)!
Some of the most dangerous philosophies permeating the world include the following: Theological modernism, which was directed against the authority of the Bible as God’s infallible word (Ps 119:89), and was also responsible for the rise of modern evangelical churches adapting to the pop culture; Humanism, which permeated most public education systems promoted atheism, Darwinian evolution, Marxism, and socialism (2 Tim 3:2); Feminism had a very powerful influence on American society and churches – by pushing their reproductive rights and equality with men (Gen 1:27), they have become more radical in promoting their gender neutral language, homosexual rights, and their opposition to traditional marriage between a man and a woman (Mt 19:5); then there is the corruption of our politics, judicial system, and the news media, which are heavily influenced by both leftist and ultra-liberal think tanks (Prov 29:12).
The worldly philosophy is something that feels right (Jer 17:9), or if everyone else is doing it then it must be ok (Prov 11:21); the end justifies the means type of reasoning (Prov 14:12)! They blame the problems on everything else instead of man’s sin (Rom 5:12). They use science, knowledge, and even the Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to solve problems that people face, “and not after Christ.” Christians need to point others to Jesus (Heb 12:2). Because the rudiments and philosophies of the world are very deceptive. Beware! God bless you!
- Pastor Melito Barrera
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