How to Resist False Teaching Colossians 2:6-10

Billington Translation Therefore, just as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in Him, Having been rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

Billington Translation Be careful lest anyone take you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world and not according to Christ, Because in Him lives all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.

Billington Translation And you have been filled in Him, who is the head of every ruler and authority.

Transition Paul is trying to encourage them 2:4 “For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and firmness of your faith in Christ” Is he lying? Therefore (since I am rejoicing in your firmness)… Why does he spend time talking about what is wrong if it’s not really a big deal? Small contingent? Very beginning? Trying to encourage them to believe what they know is right?

Keep Grounded Remember your salvation Remember to live out your faith “you received Christ Jesus the Lord” Remember to live out your faith “walk in him” “rooted and built up in him” John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit. For apart from me, you can do nothing.” John 15:5-8

Keep Grounded “established in the faith” “as you have been taught” Eph 4:4 “so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” “as you have been taught” 1 John 4:1 “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world!”

Keep Grounded Remember to be thankful “abounding in it with thanksgiving” For what? Jesus Word of God Apostles Teachers John 15:5-8

Some things sound good… Be on Guard Some things sound good… Philosophy Love of wisdom! But what kind of wisdom? Worldly wisdom Tradition of men But are really empty… Empty deceit (worthless deceptions)

They are empty because they are… Be on Guard They are empty because they are… Man-centered instead of God-centered Worldly/demonic instead of spiritual And un-Christian Not just un-Godly Not focused on Jesus Christ at all “stoicheia” was widely used for spirits in Persian religious text, magical papyri, astrological documents, and some Jewish tests. Paul is likely using it here to refer to demonic spirits; it is the equivalent of ‘rulers and authorities (10, 15). Although the false teaching is handed down as human tradition, it can ultimately be traced to the influence of demonic forces. The fundamental problem with this philosophy is that it is not in accord with Jesus Christ and the gospel proclaimed by him and the apostle Paul. (ESV Study Bible)

Be on Guard Today we should be concerned: When anyone says that there is something other than God influencing your destiny When anyone says you should pray to or worship anyone other than God When someone comes up with a revelation that can’t be confirmed by the Bible When someone presents legalism as a substitute for spirituality

Jesus Christ is everything Exalt Jesus Jesus Christ is God Compare 1:15-20 Jesus Christ is everything Augustine “You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are rest-less till they find their rest in you.” Blaise Pascal “What else does this craving, and this helplessness, proclaim but that there was once in man a true happiness, of which all that now remains is the empty print and trace? This he tries in vain to fill with everything around him, seeking in things that are not there the help he cannot find in those that are, though none can help, since this infinite abyss can be filled only with an infinite and immutable object; in other words by God himself. “and you have been filled in him” (completed, or fulfilled) Also think of Adam walking in the garden!

Jesus Christ has all authority Some Facts to Live By Jesus Christ has all authority 1 Peter 3:22 “who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.” Therefore, we should obey him! Luke 6:46 “But why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’ and not do the things that I say?”