8 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 on Christ.
9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.
I had to admit I was surprised when I went into a friend’s house and saw in one of their rooms the poster of the signs of the zodiac. Although my friend was a Christian, he would faithfully read his horoscope and take some precautions based on what the statement said.
When I first set up my computer to automatically open to personalized home page a few years ago, I could pick some personal data and interests so My Yahoo would open with some national, world, and local headline news. I found out how to click one button and get the latest local weather and Minnesota professional ball team scores, but it automatically included other information. It gave me health news, how the stock market was doing, and my daily horoscope. It took a long time before I figured out how to eliminate some stuff that I didn’t want popping up automatically.
it was right in front of me, I have never once read my daily horoscope on the internet. There are people who guide their decisions based on what celestial sign they were born under. Some people date others when they think their astrological signs are compatible. Star gazing is nothing new. In fact, it permeated the cultures surrounding Israel and when the Gentiles started coming to faith in Jesus Christ some of them carried over old pagan customs.
Part of the theme of Colossians is to tell truth from falsehood and make believers beware of how other teachings can mislead them and shipwreck their faith in Christ.
Last week we were talking about the problem of cults and authority in life. Throughout this chapter Paul warns the believers about making emotional experiences their authority in life. He warns them about making liberalism or humanism or personal intellect the ultimate authority in life. He cautions them against traditions. Jesus Christ and His Word is the only reliable authority for truth. As cults are occurring around us, there are many voices that call us to determine our decisions and use their guides for our life choices.
Paul wanted to meet this problem head on in the church. He already made his position clear in his passage on the supremacy of Christ in the first chapter verses 15-20. Now he applies this truth to details of the false teaching in Colossae. When we are confronted with evil teaching, most of us attack it and try to point out the error in it, but the apostle does not do that. He reviews for the Colossian Christians what they already have in Jesus. He calls them back to the truth and sets it clearly before them.
Application: Remember the important truth that we are Complete in Christ alone.
Lord, I believe that Your Word is living and powerful to complete the good work you have begun in me and weed out the “stuff” that is not pleasing in Your sight. Here’s my heart, Lord, take and seal it.
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