Avoid Empty Deceit!

September 3, 2026

Avoid Empty Deceit!

It is difficult to figure out what you can trust.

I was in graduate school when I realized that some of the things that were being taught in the classroom were not true. I began to see that what was being taught did not fit with my understanding of the Bible  or my somewhat limited grasp of Christian theology.

The intellectual struggle was made more difficult because I was attending a Christian university. More specifically, I was a student at a Christian seminary (a school that trains pastors!). In the midst of the struggle, I had several conversations with other students, I read my Bible even more, and I read the writings of some other theologians.

It was difficult to grasp what was being taught. What I was hearing was God is nothing more than an idea (i.e., not a person!) and the Christian faith is nothing more than a philosophy (i.e., not a relationship with Christ!). I was struggling to match what was being taught with my experience of the Risen Christ. For me, Jesus was a real person with whom I had a real relationship.

At one point in my Bible reading, I read something the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Colossae in the first century. It was a great help for my intellectual and spiritual struggle at the time. It also became a word of caution whenever I listened to a teacher, a preacher, a spiritual leader, or another Christ-follower.

In Colossians 2:8 Paul writes; “Watch out that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental principles of the world, and not according to Christ.”

Paul acknowledges there are things people will teach and preach and share that will take our mind captive. Even when people are devout believers and have a sincere heart, they can lead us away from the Truth who is Jesus.

We can be deceived and distracted and de-railed from our relationship with Jesus if we do not measure what is shared with us with the Bible. Paul warns us to “Watch out that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit…”

I finished graduate school. I finally came to the conclusion that I disagreed with some of the things I was being taught and that my difference of opinion was OK. My intellectual struggle was stepped down and my spiritual wrestling was put at ease.

Paul is right; our mind can be taken captive by someone’s philosophy, perspective, or position. This is especially true when it does not line up with the Truth found in the Bible.

Our heart can also be taken captive by someone’s intent to deceive us, distract us, or disqualify us. Empty deceit can destroy our relationship with Jesus, our willingness to trust and obey the Holy Spirit, and our faith in the Father’s grace.

Paul calls us to be intellectually engaged as we follow Christ. We are to carefully and prayerfully evaluate what we hear from other people. The latest spiritual book everyone is reading is not necessarily something that is good for our heart, our mind, and our soul. The most popular spiritual leader everyone says you “have to listen to” is not necessarily someone who is always leading us closer to the heart of Jesus.

It is important to ask some questions.

+Is the message I am hearing consistent with the core message of the Bible?

+Is the content I am studying distracting me from Jesus?  

+Is the person who is teaching (sermon, book, conference, blog, etc.) someone with integrity?

+Is the content I am considering just another philosophy on how to live my life?

+Is the idea being promoted primarily about loving and serving and honoring Christ?

+Is the content I am receiving something I could imagine Jesus saying to me?

It is also important to read the Bible so we have a strong and growing faith in Jesus that informs and protects our mind, our heart, and our soul.

+Find a Bible reading plan and implement it.

+Find a favorite book in the Bible and read it.

+Find a Bible resource to help you when you read the Bible.

+Find a time that works most of the time to read your Bible.

+Find an opportunity to follow your Bible reading with prayer.

There is a lot of “teaching” coming our way. Some of it is Spirit-inspired and God-honoring; it will grow your relationship with Jesus. On the other hand, some of it is just another worldly philosophy or straight out empty deceit.

As you engage your heart, soul, and mind in your reading/listening, invite the Holy Spirit to help you discern what is God-honoring. When you fill your mind with Christ, you will not near as easily be deceived by false teaching and you will not be distracted from growing deeper in your love for Jesus.

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug