Colossians 2:8
Take heed lest there will be anyone taking you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the principles of the world and not according to Christ.
*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 5385
Philosophy: the love or pursuit of wisdom
From the Greek word 'philosophia' (pronounced fil-os-of-ee'-ah): 'secular philosophy – elevating human wisdom over the wisdom of God. Loving one's own thoughts (secular wisdom) at the expense of God's Word (true wisdom). That is, the vain pursuit of truth apart from the revelation of God's Word.'
This is the only time this word is used in the New Testament. And it is used here to warn Timothy, and us, to be careful on what we base our beliefs. We are to remember that Christ is the foundation of a Christian's salvation.
1 Corinthians 10:12
So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall.
Matthew 7:24-27 tells us of two men who built their houses:
24. “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:
25. and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
26. “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:
27. and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”
Proverbs 24:4, 5
4. By wisdom a house is built and by understanding it is established;
5. By knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
OPPOSE IGNORANT KNOWLEDGE
Pay attention to who we are paying attention to. Be careful little ears what you hear. ("Lord, help us to stand on Your Word and live Your Word faithfully, not disparagingly. In You we trust for every need, every step.")
1 Timothy 6:20, 21
O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of so-called “knowledge,” which some have professed and thus swerved away from the faith. Grace be with you all.
What was entrusted to Timothy? Foundational wisdom from God. The Chief Cornerstone of his salvation: a living, working, knowledge of the saving grace which is only found in Jesus Christ.
THE PATTERN OF SOUND TEACHING
2 Timothy 1:12-14
12. For this reason, even though I suffer as I do, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.
13. Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching you have heard from me, with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
14. Guard the treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
We are to guard, keep, protect this treasure, this wisdom, this faith which God has given us. Guard it with our lives for it is the most precious gift we have ever been given. Ephesians 2:8, 9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
Saved by grace, not anything I could ever do, but saved by the grace of God. I saw a need for a Savior to save me, but not until I turned the eyes of my heart to Christ, and strained my ears to His voice, did I surrender my heart to Him. As the song says, " At the cross, at the cross, Where I first saw the Light and the burden of my heart rolled away. It was there by faith I received my sight and now I am happy all the day."
At the cross, not near it, not from a distance, but right there at the cross. Right there When I Survey The Wondrous Cross "sorrow and love flowed mingled down". Right there On My Knees.
FAITH BUILDS THE HOUSE
1 Peter 2:4-6
4. As you come to Him, The Living Stone, rejected by men but chosen and precious in God’s sight,
5. you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
6. For it stands in Scripture: “See, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”
The wisdom of the world builds her house on sand. Her foundations creep and buckle, bringing down her own fragile structure. Ignorance (I don't know) and Apathy (I don't care) cannot build a strong enough foundation on which to base one's life in the here and now, nor in the hereafter.
Faith in God through Jesus Christ' crucifixion and resurrection, however are the ideal building blocks on which to lay a firm foundation. In His crucifixion, Christ died for me; He not only took my sins upon Himself, but He became sin for me. His blood washed away my sin. By Faith I believe that. In His resurrection, Christ overcame death and the grave, walking into newness of life. He had a changed body, which made Him unrecognizable until He spoke (John 20:14-17). By Faith I believe this, too.
And, so, I build my life on this precious faith in God, this faith in Christ Jesus for my salvation. As Jesus told Martha in John 11:25, 26 "Jesus said unto her, I am The Resurrection and The Life: he that believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
Do you believe this? I believe. I guard my foundation. When words are needed, Wisdom speaks, not I. I try not to argue with fools. A raised eyebrow now and then speaks volumes. A twitch of the lips as I hold back laughter, often. But I prefer speaking the Truth of God's Word over my opinion. My opinion on any matter must take a back seat to God's Word. And I'm fine with that. The Lord is My Portion and that's all that matters.
The Bridegroom is returning for His bride, the one who has built her home around Him, the church who has chosen Him as her Chief Cornerstone on which to build her most holy faith. I believe this and I'm getting myself ready to meet Him. I Know Whom I Have Believed.
