The primary thesis of this passage is verse 8 – “See to it that no one takes you captive…”
Paul is concerned that believers are willingly relinquishing their freedom in Christ and allowing themselves to be bound by the “hollow and deceptive” philosophies of this world. It is a concern that he would still have for the church 2000 years later. There is a plethora of bad philosophies that are running amok in our Christian culture. Just to name a few…
- “Just follow your heart”
- “God just wants me to be happy.”
- “If you believe it then you can achieve it.”
Here are a few thoughts that might keep us from being taken captive:
- Ground yourself in the Word of God
- Be careful who you listen to
- Be careful what you read
- Be careful what you watch
- Ground yourself in the Word of God
- Think critically
- Talk things through with godly friends
- Don’t buy what the world is selling
- Ground yourself in the Word of God
and finally…
10. Ground yourself in the Word of God
“Father, would You capture our minds attention and our heart’s affection and guard us from being captured by the hollow and deceptive philosophies of this world.”