Colossians 2 is all about the ability to recognize the real from the false. One of several results is spiritual maturity, because we are realizing the economy of God in our lives.
Notice the word captive here in v.8. It means to "kidnap" or "to be taken hostage! The Apostle Paul instructs us not to be “taken captive.” The Greek word used for captive is "sulagogon" which was used when slave traders would capture people to be sold into slavery. When we are taken captive by false teaching, we are deprived from fellowship with Christ. And, as a result, we do not experience His freedom.
One weapon that is used to do this is philosophy, man's love for wisdom. Not all philosophy is bad, but if it doesn't match up with the teaching of the Bible, it is. These philosophies have no real content, they have no actual basis in reality. And, they conflict with God’s definition of things.
In Colossians 2:8, we discover three characteristics of wrong philosophy. Today we will take up the first of these three.
"Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." (Colossians 2:8)
1. Worldly Philosophy based on “human tradition.”
This first characteristic is an intellectual challenge to our faith. Paul does not identify the philosophy, however, there are some clues.
He mentions the observance of special days, including the Sabbath (2:16); the worship of angels (2:18); submission to the “elemental spirits of the world” (2:20); and abstinence (2:21,23).
The Greek word philosophia had a variety of meanings in this period, and, depending on the context, might be translated “religion,” “speculation,” or “investigation.” There are those that have taken this verse and used it to support the idea that all philosophy is bad. Paul’s primary target is “philosophical” speculation whose foundation is merely human wisdom.
Much of the false teachings in Colossae hindered the believers from entering into an intimate and personal fellowship with the Lord. You will remember that our justification (rightness with the Lord) is based upon the work that Jesus accomplished on His cross on our behalf. However, our sanctification is based upon the Spirit's work in our lives as we allow Him to change our souls (mind, will and emotions).
These worldly philosophies always appeal to our flesh (evil desires within us). The flesh is expressed in an unforgiving spirit, a critical spirit, complaining, lusts, suspicion, and many others.
The odd part of all of this is it is plain dumb to allow others to captivate us into motivating us to feed the flesh.
Tomorrow, we will consider the next characteristic of false teaching.
