Captive

“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.” 

—Colossians 2:8

While living in an apartment in Chicago we had mice. The most effective way for getting rid of the mice was a glue trap. I would place some peanut butter in the middle of the trap and the mouse would smell the peanut butter thinking that he had a feast in front of him, but as soon as he got to the peanut butter, he was trapped and his death was imminent, there was no way to escape.

Paul understood this concept for this is how Satan works. He seeks to tempt us and trap us through “philosophy and empty deceit.” He offers life, but gives death. He offers light, but gives darkness. He offers freedom, but gives slavery. He offers peace, but gives pain. He offers a banquet, but gives garbage. Like a street vendor offering the best for nothing, he is a sham, a charlatan, a thief, and the ultimate con artist.

Satan presents himself as an angel of light (see 2 Corinthians 11:14), making what he says sound reasonable and even good (see how he deceives Eve in Genesis 3:1-6). But, we know that he is a liar and when he speaks, he speaks his native language, for he is the father of lies (John 8:44). He is also the ruler of this world (Ephesians 2:2) and this world listens to him. He offers up a way of life to pursue, something to dedicate oneself to, one that results in praise from those of this world, but is in no way pleasing to God, for it is a lie. The Bible says that it is “philosophy and empty deceit” and indeed it is, for it is “not according to Christ.”

We must not be fooled by Satan’s ways. We must avoid the traps of sin that he has set for us. We must not listen to the so-called experts of this world who are paraded on our television screens and whose books grace the best-seller list. We must take in the daily diet of the Word of God so that we may not be taken captive, for we are not ignorant of his ways (2 Corinthians 2:11).

We are to watch and pray so that we will not fall into temptation (Matthew 26:41, Colossians 4:2). May we continually renew our minds with the Word of God so that we may not be deceived by Satan (Romans 12:1-2) and may our lives emanate the words we espouse to the glory of God and for the salvation of a lost and dying world. Amen.