Read or Listen: Colossians 2:8-15
There are so many different teachings and ideologies in the world. So, how can we know what is true? Is there really any such thing as truth? The church in Colossae wrestled with the same question. They were being fed false teachings that were made up by man, so Paul has some words for them, in these verses, to encourage them and to show them what is truly true.
You see, Paul understood something that the people didn’t. The people most likely knew of the individuals that were teaching these different philosophies, and they may even have been great people, which made it harder to discern whether what they said was true or not. Paul knew where the philosophies were really coming from though. They not only came from human tradition, but they came from the “elemental spirits.” What Paul is referring to is the spiritual realm…demonic spirits. Satan wants nothing more than to lead people away from the truth of Jesus. This was the problem with the philosophies being fed to the church at Colossae. They were not in accord with Jesus Christ and the gospel proclaimed by Him and the apostle Paul.
If these teachings, that do not lift up Christ and are not in accord with Him, are false, then what is true?
Christ is true. Christ is God (vs. 9), He fills us (vs. 10), He rules over all (vs. 10), He has raised us in His likeness (vs. 12), made us alive (vs. 13), forgave us of ALL our trespasses (vs. 13), and canceled our sin debt that we could never pay (vs. 14). The same demonic forces that spread false philosophies…Christ has disarmed them, shamed them, and triumphed over them (vs. 15). So, whatever He says…that is truly true.
Prime-Time Discussion:
How can you know what is true?
What should be our guide to tell if a teaching/philosophy is true?
Why should we trust the Bible as the basis of truth?
Night-Time Prayer:
God, thank you for your Word. Thank you for not leaving us in the dark and for guiding us in Truth. Help me to have a greater passion and yearning for your Word, so that I will be able to discern what is false and what is truly true.
devotion by Jacob Haywood
Family Time Devotions 