What if you took some medicine and it made you feel terrific but cured zip? Would you want to continue taking the medicine just so you could feel better while at the same time some terrible disease was ravaging your mind and body? What would the priority be—feeling better or getting better? As the kids say, that should be a no-brainer. Heal the body first and let the feel-good part take care of itself in time. Here’s a trick question, what if it’s your mind that’s in need of a curative medicine, not just a touchy feely good pill, white powdery substance or something else?
Have we gotten so used to being taught the wrong ideas that we don’t want to entertain a different point of view? Christianity isn’t afraid to be compared with other beliefs, but once the differences are debated and ironed out and only the truth is left, start moving forward, don’t linger. The Apostle Paul wrote the Book of Colossians to help refute some false teaching going on. His advice can be summed up in one simple verse with hidden meaning.
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than Christ.” Colossians 2:8
Paul was addressing the false teaching of the church at Colossae. It seems to have been a real stew from several chefs. It was syncretistic, fusing Jewish legalism, Greek philosophic speculation, and some Oriental mysticism all stirred together. It sounded good, felt good, and saved no one! They worshiped angels, practiced asceticism (the belief the body was inherently evil) and some Jewish rules regarding observing the Sabbath.
Paul emphasized the significance of Christ as Lord of creation and Head of the Church. For the record, any teaching, practice, or intermediary that detracts from the centrality of Christ is against the faith.
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