“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority.” Colossians 2:8-10
Every day there are children and young adults, who are taken “captive through philosophy and empty deception.” It happens at all ages, from preschool rooms to the most prestigious university classes throughout the world. Students, mostly without knowing it, and who think they are learning what is right and true are instead being led astray by “traditions of men” and false “elementary principles of the world.”
And worst yet, most parents pay taxes for their children’s education and sometimes pay exorbitant tuition and turn their children over to wolves in sheep’s clothing who knowingly lead these precious children down the wrong path with an agenda that is masked as wisdom and truth. However, it is the very opposite of wisdom and truth.
What the Apostle Paul was warning Christians about almost two thousand years ago is still very prevalent today. Nothing is new under the sun as Solomon would also warn us. The problem is that many of these students who are taken captive and the parents of these students who allow them to be taken captive are Christians and should know and believe this fundamental truth. Unbelievers don’t know any better. Unbelievers are lost in darkness and don’t believe the light of God’s Word that leads to Jesus Christ. However, many Christians are Biblically illiterate and don’t know the elementary teachings of God’s Word and follow instead the “elementary principles of the world.” Many Christian parents don’t protect their children and instead allow them to be taught the false teachings of our pagan world. False teachings regarding wisdom and knowledge, God, marriage and family, morality and ethics, authority and government, and justice, to name a few.
God desires all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth and live in truth. (1 Timothy 2:4) However, many people, sometimes even Christians, follow the lies of this world instead of the wisdom and truth of God and God calls this foolishness.
“Where is the wise man? Where is the philosopher? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?” 1 Corinthians 1:20
“However, we speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by God through HIs Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man (unbeliever) does not accept the things of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.” 1 Corinthians 2:13-14
Many children throughout the world in the public and private schools they attend are being taken captive by the tradition of man and the empty philosophies of this world. Sometimes it is very subtle – sometimes it is overt. And their parents openly turn them over to their captors. God’s Word says it is foolish beyond comprehension.
I hope and pray you are not taken captive by the tradition of man but the precious truth of God. God wants you to know and understand this from His Word:
“Come to the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive traditions and philosophies and try to lead you astray.” Colossians 2:3-4
May God bless you with His grace, love, and truth!