Don’t Be Deceived (Colossians 2:8)

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

We can be deceived in many ways:

• Advertising.
• Flattery.
• Family or friends who don’t tell us the truth.
• Social media posts that make us think everyone else is having a happier life.

Could the worst deception be when we deceive ourselves?

Maybe we deceive ourselves by “trusting” ourselves. We go to a social event when we know there will be questionable activities or questionable conversation, but we know we will not participate. Maybe this particular example isn’t a temptation for you or for me, but it is for someone.

We all have our limitations and know what we are tempted by. And we all sometimes think we can be strong and put ourselves right in the middle of a tempting situation. We think we can overcome our nature. But that is a great deception.

Be Careful. Don’t Be Deceived.

In Deuteronomy, it’s recorded that Moses told the Israelites, “Beware that your hearts are not deceived, and that you do not turn away and serve other gods and worship them.” The same message is consistent throughout the Bible: be careful; don’t be deceived.

We know that trial is necessary for our discipline; it’s necessary for us to choose what’s right and turn away from what is wrong. James warns us not to blame God for being tempted and not to be deceived. God wants to share eternity with us. And He wants us to make right choices.

Set your mind on things that are acceptable to God. Make your decisions based on what God would want. Why focus on things opposed to what the Creator of the universe would approve of?

And don’t be deceived into thinking He doesn’t care about small things.

[Please share a comment! Ed.]