Hollow and Deceptive Teaching

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 Christ. Colossians 2:8

Yesterday, I spoke to the importance of observing the fulness of God's Word. Today's verse falls along a similar yet different theme. The theme here is about throwing away the chaff that looks for legitimacy outside of God's Word. I have shared with our church in the past that just because something is labeled Christian does not mean that it is Christian.

There is hollow teaching with appears on the surface to be good teaching, but is not founded or rooted in God's Word. An example of such a teaching is: "God helps those who help themselves." It sounds good, but it is a hollow teaching. It is not Biblical in fact it stands totally contrary to the Biblical concept of grace.

Then there is deceptive teaching. Deceptive teaching is sinister. Examples of this include the mixing of evolution and creation. It also includes things such as the Jesus Tomb documentary and the whole DaVinci Code deception.

As Christians we need to be on guard against hollow and deceptive teachings. Taking the cue from Ephesians 6 we put on the full armor of God to take our stand against the devils schemes. Without the full armor we leave ourselves vulnerable to attack and less able to defend ourselves.

In Christ we have all we need. "For in Christ all the fullness of the Diety lives in bodily form and you have beeen given the fullness of Christ, who is the head over every power and authority." Colossians 2:9-10 We have no reason to look any farther.