BY Argie Simonis
In today's message I want to focus on the words of Paul in his letter to the Colossians:
"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." Col. 2:8
Greece has been a world cradle of civilization for a very long time. Everyone knows the ancient Greek spirit of arts and letters. Greece is also the home of philosophy, and I would like to examine the term philosophy under the lens of God's word.
"Philosophy (from the Greek: love of wisdom) is the systematized study of general and fundamental questions, such as those concerning existence, reason, knowledge, values, mind, and language. Philosophical methods include questioning, critical discussion, rational argument, and systematic presentation.
~Source: Wikipedia.
Philosophy as a science is a tool given to human hands by God, and as is the case with every science, its reliability depends on whether its findings harmonize with the revelation that the Lord gives us through His word. In other words, science must stand as an accomplice of God and not fighting against Him.
I have written an article on this subject entitled "God and science". You will find the link to the article (which also includes the video) below in the description:
Back to our topic now:
We are at war and we must be on guard:
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Eph. 6:12
The devil will come in every way and trick to confuse us, to offend us, to distract us from God and turn us into trivial and meaningless things.
Philosophy and human traditions are weapons that the devil uses against us and there are many who do not recognize them in order to resist and fight.
Jesus warned us about this:
"Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which you have delivered: and many such like things do you." Μark 7:13
Paul writes to Titus:
"But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain." Τitus 3:9
and to Timothy:
"Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do." 1Τim. 1:4
As we saw, by definition, philosophy is a way of thinking.
Each person has his own philosophy, that is, his own way of thinking. Some characteristic examples:
There are people who are optimists, pessimists and realists.
- The first group includes people who tend to look on the bright side of life. They are gullible and dreamers, constantly thinking positive thoughts, even when these thoughts have no valid basis.
- Pessimists, on the other hand, tend to have a negative approach to everything. They hardly trust and often complain, claiming that they cannot change anything in their lives. They are usually wounded people who see the world through the lens of their traumatic experiences.
- Realists don't take risks easily. They are cautious and always grounded in reality, but a reality as they themselves perceive it with their "square" logic.
Another example is rich people, who, without having a real need, they economize excessively and live constantly in deprivation with the mentality of poverty, even though they know that God's word says:
"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:19
"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might be rich." 2Cor. 8:9
In other words, there are people whose knowledge of the Scriptures is not enough to change their philosophy. The way they think, right or wrong, solely determines how they act or react to their environment.
If, for example, you have been hurt by people and you have not surrendered it to the Lord to heal you so that you can forgive them and have peace in your heart, then every rejection and every negative behavior you experience, even if it is something small, it will always look like a mountain to you. But what does God's word tell us?
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love." 1John 4:18
When we understand how much God loves us, fear has no place in our hearts. Fear basically works like faith. When we fear, we believe in something negative. People who live constantly in fear are the ones who always believe the worst that can happen, and let them know that
"The angel of the LORD encamps round about them that fear him, and delivers them." Psalm 34:7
Being a Christian does not necessarily mean that you have the right way of thinking. Your spirit has been born again and renewed, but your mind needs transformation and renewal, and this is something you must do:
"And be not conformed to this world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Rom. 12:2
During our spiritual rebirth, what we call being born-again, our spirit is completely changed:
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2Cor. 5:17
"But he that is joined to the Lord is one spirit." 1Cor. 6:17
"For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ." 1Cor. 2:16
The mind of Christ that we have in our born-again spirit is the one that must also be formed in our natural mind according to Rom. 12:2 that we read. Those of us who are in the Lord today each have their own resume. Some were born and raised in a Christian environment, but some come from completely different backgrounds:
"For you were sometimes darkness, but now are you light in the Lord: walk as children of light:" Εph. 5:8
Everyone wants a better life, but as soon as you talk to them about change, they back off. You read the scriptures but you don't let them change your philosophy and the way you were taught to do certain things. So what kind of change do you expect to see acting like this?
Another typical example:
You know that by the stripes of Jesus you have been healed (1 Pet. 2:24) and that the Lord
"Surely he shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence." Psalm 91:3
But because you've been taught that every spring and fall is the season for viruses, you prepare and expect to get sick a couple of times a year.
But God's word tells us:
As you think in your heart, so are you... (Prov. 23:7)
Everyone's philosophy is shaped by the way he was raised, the experiences he had and the theological influences he received. But no matter what has happened to you, Paul writes:
"... let God be true, but every man a liar..." Rom. 3:4
This means that we must put what the Lord says above what our family, our background or our doctrinal position says.
We must put what the Lord says above what our personal experiences or the culture and traditions of the place we live tell us. It is commonly accepted that our society is going from bad to worse, and God's word warns us:
"Woe to them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" Isaiah 5:20
But even if we live in such an environment, the word of God tells us:
"Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in me." John 14:1
"Rejoice ever more.
Pray without ceasing.
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1Thes. 5:16-18
Paul even repeats it twice in his letter to the Philippians, in case we didn't get it the first time:
"Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice." Phil. 4:4
There have been large and expensive scientific studies that have concluded that a person who smiles more becomes happier, while a sullen person is more unhappy.
"... let God be true, but every man a liar..." Rom. 3:4
But the word of God tells us exactly the opposite. Joy is not just a feeling. It is the fruit of the Holy Spirit living in us (Galatians 5:22). Joy is a decision we make, that no matter what happens around us we will rejoice in the Lord and thank Him. If we do this we create a channel and the joy stored in our spirit will manifest in the natural. So the smile does not make you happier, but our joy in the Lord and our thanksgiving to Him puts a smile on our face, makes us happy and increases our faith:
"Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving." Col. 2:7
Just as happiness works, so does unhappiness or depression. The ungrateful man who is far from God will be constantly depressed and unhappy.
Do you agree with me? Write down your opinion in the comments and please be to the point.
In future messages I will speak more extensively about human nature and how the mind of Christ given to us according to 1 Cor. 1:16 can work in our lives. I consider this a very important topic, which will help to better understand the Bible and increase our faith.
Amen!
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