Living the Fath in a Deceived World

“For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument. For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ.
               
Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.” Colossians 2:1-7                   

Behind almost every presidential address is a skilled, polished speech writer, crafting words and stitching phrases with great persuasiveness. It is well to remember that behind many of today’s appealing philosophies and arguments is another master craftsman - the devil.

His goal - as it has been since “the Garden” when he deceived Eve - is to beguile men and women through superficially appealing reasoning such humanism and value clarification. Satan is also the invisible playwright of false religious doctrines such as legalism and asceticism.

Our guard against this deadly subterfuge is thorough acquaintance with the truths of Scripture. A recent survey revealed that twenty-eight percent of professed born-again Christians did not know the book of Jonah is in the Bible. Ignorance of what God says about the creation, salvation, the family, sexuality, finances, and other vital subjects can be fatal mistake in succumbing to the treachery of the subtle serpent. Knowledge of the Word, however, must be coupled with daily obedience to the Scriptures which cements the truth and alerts us to Satan’s deceptions.

“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception...” Colossians 2:8