Battle for the Mind

In Colossians Paul told the Christians, "As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him" (Col 2:6). He explains some of what that means, including "abounding in thanksgiving" (Col 2:7). Then he says,

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. (Col 2:8)

We have the basic notion here. Be taken captive, as it were, by the things that are according to Christ and not by that which is not. What, specifically, are we to not be captivated by? Philosophy and empty deceit. Human tradition. "Elemental spirits of the world."

I think the argument can be made that Christians these days operate largely under those things. We redefine Scripture by modern philosophies such as "gender fluidity" and "homosexual theory" and even "feminism." That was just a short list. We have a lot. We are told that Genesis 1 and 2 are wrong -- "myth" -- not because there is anything in them to suggest it, but because Darwin offered an alternative for our human tradition. The media, science, government, education, generally all standard edifices these days are built in opposition to biblical truth and Christians feel the need to reread Scripture in light of the world's perceptions rather than vice versa.

The phrasing there is interesting. We are not to be "taken captive." These things tie us up and drag us away. We are no longer free to start with God's Word. We will need to "get permission," as it were, from human philosophy, deception, and tradition. Oh, and not necessarily longstanding tradition. We're always adopting new ones, aren't we? Paul calls it captivity, and it is. Instead, we are to "destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ" (2 Cor 10:5). Oh, they are lofty, indeed, but they are opposed to God's own revelation of Himself and our primary concern must be to obey Christ.