Philosophies

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
Colossians 2:8 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/col.2.8.ESV

I'm not an expert on the philosophies and deceits that may have tempted the Colossians, although I wonder if there was a similar tension to what there is nowadays. Some, call them Epicurian progressives perhaps, think we have to leave religion behind to become enlightened. Others, maybe stoical conservatives, think we should go back to our old ways.

Worldly philosophies often have an element of truth in them. Of course we want to be progressive, not stagnant or even regressive. Yet where are we progressing to? That is the question!

We should be conservative in the sense that we want to conserve what is good in society. Yet do we not want to progress from what isn't so good in society? God calls His people to progress towards holiness and to conserve what is pure in our lives.

How can we become holy and pure? Not by pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps; but by the Holy Spirit of God. Because Christ died and rose again, our sanctification is possible.

'Our Heavenly Father, we ask that You would help us become increasingly sanctified as we trust in You rather than the fine and not so fine sounding arguments of the world. In Jesus' name, amen'

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