“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 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. 2:6-8)
The sign read “Warning stay out!” How often did we as kids become attracted by cautionary signs, sensing excitement and adventure instead of avoiding the area known for its danger. Instead we ventured in, unresponsive to possible harm ahead. God speaks plainly about spiritual hazards to steer clear of so not to fall away from divine care, risking never getting back up from it! Plenty of theories, theologies, cults, propaganda, and a myriad of lies and deceptions line our journey in this life, which can be much like a minefield where a few false steps may bring with it severe consequences. Less passivity and greater vigilance is called for.
“My eyes are continually toward the Lord,
For He will pluck my feet out of the net.”
Psalm 25:15
To think right thoughts requires sound judgment that comes from reading, studying and obeying Scripture. Ultimately, it requires to be God-centered in our minds and hearts. We discipline our thought life from what we learn in the Bible. Ours is like a daily word-count where much of it is generated in us from His Spirit using His Word that instructs us in our decisions and actions. How essential then is it for Christians to grow in their understanding from a daily intake of God’s Word. In this way, our discernment moves up from what the Scriptures metaphorically described as once being babies in our development to adulthood, where skill at handling truth leads us away from costly dead-end to remain in the right direction.
Now understanding and avoiding damaging worldviews, their subtleties and falsehoods, does not mean that you will face them all at once! No one worldview dominates our world. Depending on what part of the world you live in, you might be exposed to any number of philosophies. We can safely say that most of the ideological systems spread over this globe has to do with some form of Secularism, Marxism, postmodernism, new spirituality, and Islam, and may even be a composite of one or more of these views. What is important to realize is what makes these juggernauts cast a shadow on the many others. In particular, Postmodernism does stand out and even blankets other ideologies. For the sake of brevity, we will list several of its rudiments.
- No objective reality or truth/everything is subjective
- Reason and logic are suspect. Knowledge is impossible to attain.
- No one worldview has the answer, all attempts to do so are biased
- God is non-existent
What we can conclude is that such a system leads nowhere in particular and ruefully pushes aside all moral, religious values, political and social institutions. Does that make much sense so far? It only does if your intention is to rid yourself of any claim God has on this universe and all that is in it.
God warns against self-autonomy.
“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.”
Psalm 14:1
“The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.”
Psalm 10:4
God knows that the heart of man is wicked. Man seeks to distance himself from His maker, seeking self-determination. In his pride man has concocted many illusionary ideas about this planet and human origin. In his rebellion, he flees from God and considers life to be whatever he wishes to make of it. Yet, in all these attempts to deny God’s existence and His truth, God offers to reconcile man to Himself.
“Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”
Isaiah 1:18
Considering man’s many ideologies – anything but God is at the heart of many – God truly is merciful to offer us to be reconciled to Him.
Will you consider the futility and senseless efforts of mankind to separate truth from God by looking to fool hearted notions? Instead look at the rich repository of truth in the Word of God. We have sinned against God and the truth is He will hold us accountable for it. No amount of philosophical musings will prevent us from getting our just deserts. Put on your thinking caps and read for yourself from the gospel of Mark the life and death of Christ; His mission to save sinners and the requirement for sinners to come to Him by faith. Reason through the Scriptures in your quiet time alone with God and turn to Jesus to seek forgiveness of your sins. May God have mercy on your soul in these trying times and what lies before in the coming days.
“Let the wicked man forsake his own way and the unrighteous man his own thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.”
Isaiah 55:7
