Where to Beware Col 2: 8 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO
This morning we told you what to beware of: philosophy, vain deceit, tradition of men, and rudiments of the world. Now we’ll tell you where you find these things of which to beware and what to do about them.
You’ll find the four things above in:
Churches – Korah, Dathan and Abiram had their own tabernacle in Num 16 to compete with Moses and Aaron at the tabernacle of the congregation – in 2 Ki 10:18 we find the house of Baal, the worshippers of Baal and the prophets of Baal in contrast to the true temple of God and the prophets of God – today we have preachers following the doctrine of Balaam [fornication and sacrificing to idols], the way of Balaam [seeking honor and money] and the error of Balaam [assuming that God would curse Israel] – you have to watch out, most places called churches are not preaching the truth.
Bibles – contrast 2 Cor 2:17 [man’s corruptions of God’s words] with 1 Thes 2:13 [God’s words] – modern Bibles attack the deity of Christ and the blood of Jesus, and they minimize the judgment seat of Christ and promote ecumenism.
Schools – contrast the school of Gamaliel [Acts 22:3] with the school of Tyrannus [Acts 19:9-10] – Sauk came out of Gamaliel’s school killing Christians because he missed that the law is the school master to bring us to Christ – Paul taught in Tyrannus’ school for two years and all of Asia heard the preaching of Jesus – in schools where the Bible is not allowed, you can be sure that the four things above are taught in the subjects – one teen said, “in school I almost quit believing the things I had been taught from the Bible.”
Movies – contrast Num 33:52 and Gen 8:21 with 2 Cor 10:4-5 – the former capitalizes on the wicked imagination in men and sells them pictures that appeal to their wicked imaginations – the latter cast down imaginations and brings every thought to the obedience of Christ – so why do you keep watching movies that stuff your heart and brain full of the four things above?
Music – contrast Amos 6:5 and Job 21:12-15 with Col 3:16 – music is not neutral, the devil uses music to broadcast the four things above – godly music, on the other hand, teaches and admonishes you “after Christ.” Turn off that music that is filling your heart with philosophy, vain deceit, tradition and rudiments of the world.
Media – contrast Acts 17:18-21 and Is 41:21-24 with Is 43:9-13 – you should stay informed, of course, but always in light of what God is doing – many Christians feed on the news that is being sold by the media and are not in their Bibles enough to know what God is doing.
Friends – contrast Prov 13:20b with Prov 13:20a – the world’s people are foolish and are going to spoil you and fill your head with the foolishness of the four things in Col 2:8 – God’s people who are wise are going to help you in your walk with Christ.