Empty Knowledge

"Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ."

(Colossians 2:8 NKJV)

"Beware. Be careful. Look out," says Paul. Be on guard against deception and philosophy. But, why should we look out for philosophy? What's wrong with knowledge? Well, let's start with the definition of philosophy in this text. In Ancient Greek, philosophia means "love of wisdom" or as one commentator stated, "the vain pursuit of wisdom". It's pursuing human wisdom and understanding above God's wisdom and understanding.

It's the sort of wisdom that's void of God, a way of thinking that craves knowledge and truth apart from Christ. It's when people are desperate to know the truth but deny that Christ is or possibly could be the truth. Paul warned the Colossians against attaining this type of knowledge because it derives from flawed human logic and/or demonic spirits.

We must guard our hearts and watch what we love. The Greek definition says philosophy is the love of wisdom but isn't it God we are commanded to love? God and others? When we choose to love the acquisition of knowledge (specifically worldly knowledge) more than we love God than we have fallen into vain knowledge and, essentially, idol worship.

Of course, there's nothing wrong with the acquisition of knowledge. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah received knowledge and understanding from God after they submitted themselves to only eat vegetables and water for ten days to align themselves with God. And it's written in Daniel 1:20 that "in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom."

So there's nothing wrong with knowledge or wanting to have it. But what kind of knowledge do we desire to attain? In the text, Paul warned the Colossians to be diligent about what kind of knowledge they choose to believe. We are taught to be careful of empty, deceptive knowledge. Education and teachings void of Christ is empty, yet it may appear fulfilling.

Colossians 2:9-10 reads: "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority." Worldly knowledge is not fulfilling. Christ is. The issue with worldly knowledge is that it boasts itself as being full of understanding of how the world works. Teachers of the world's knowledge position themselves as knowing the ins and outs of how the universe was composed, how it functions, and how a Creator was and is not necessary for all we see. They proclaim that life can be full void of Christ, that life can be explained apart from God.

These teachings are deceitful and true followers of Christ have been warned to guard our hearts and minds against these demonic and worldly influences. God said in Job 38:4, "Where were you when I laid the Earth's foundation? Tell me if you understand." In Job 38:8-12, God says, "Who shut up the sea behind doors ... I fixed limits for it and set it's doors and bars in place."

God is the Creator. God is the One who gives knowledge and understanding. His Son is declared as the Way, Truth, and the Life. Our Faithful and True Lord.

And yet, the great thinkers of the world and their grand philosophy often suggest and outright confess that God is a liar and that the world is here because, I suppose it magically appeared. Beg my pardon, but the last time I recall someone saying the opposite of what God said was Satan in the Garden of Eden.

God said Adam and Eve would die if they ate from the tree. Satan said they would not. Someone lied ... and it wasn't God. Man says creation is here apart from God. God says He created the heavens and the earth and all that's in it. Someone is lying. Someone sounds just like Satan. Someone is saying the opposite of what God said. This is why Paul said these philosophies are derived from the spiritual forces of the world and human logic. It's demonic, it's fleshly, and it's not of God.

I'm reminded of Lee Strobel, a former atheist, whose heart was set upon discovering truth. He was determined to prove to his wife that Jesus was not real or not to be considered Lord through knowledge, history, and scientific evidence. But the more he sought understanding, the more he discovered that Jesus was and is Lord.

In the case of Lee Strobel, seeking truth lead him to Christ. So, is there anything wrong with a person seeking truth? Is it wrong if someone is not convinced that God is real or that Jesus is Lord? Is it wrong if a person honestly doesn't know the truth and decides to search for it?

Paul was not telling us to remain unlearned or uneducated. He wasn't telling us to avoid attaining knowledge. But he was warning us that there are demonic influences and empty human wisdom that will attempt to tell us how life works without Christ. They will tell you how peace, joy, wealth, success, and the likes can be retrieved without God. The world, and people like the old Lee Strobel, will offer us wisdom and a way of thinking void of Christ.

But I'm convinced that if someone is genuinely seeking truth, they will discover Christ. If they are seeking what is real and not what they think is real or what they want to be real, they will find truth. God is not hiding. He will not withdraw Himself from anyone who truly wants to know the truth.

And so, as Paul stated, let's be careful about falling for the world's empty and deceitful knowledge. God is able to reveal truth just as he did to Strobel, Paul, you, and me. And God is also able to keep us in truth. God is able to keep us in the love and grace that is Jesus Christ.

That's all I have for you this week. Be careful! Watch out for the deceitful knowledge of the world. Stay in truth. May God bless you and keep you. Until next time, take care.

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Sincerely,

Quin Arrington