NOV 5
Colossians 2:4
Memorise Jeremiah 9:3
“…beguile you with enticing words…”

Colossians 2:4 reads “And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.” Why does Paul start with the term “and this I say”? He is telling us that the knowledge in Christ he mentions in the previous verses will prevent one from falling into the trap he is going to describe. The word “beguile” means to deceive by false reasoning. False teachers will attempt to fool you by trying to beguile you, not attack directly or argue with you. They appear to be on your side, but then twist the truth to their own advantage. They will use enticing words, words you want to hear, rather than offensive words, just like how the serpent tempted Eve by telling her the lie that she could be as wise as God. One of the false teachings the Colossian church was facing, was beguiling men through using rational reasoning, and appealing to their intellectual pride. Had the church been deceived yet? No, but Paul was giving them advance warning, lest they fall.

This is the role of any vigilant and responsible man of God. He will see the dangers on the horizon and do his part to warn others of it. What is your reaction when you hear your pastor warn of false teachers that may soon infiltrate the flock? Some of you might think, it will never happen to us. Perhaps you think it a waste of time talking about all these things, and wish our pastors would preach on something else more practical. Then, when false teachers do appear, and pastors preach against them, we perceive our pastors as being vindictive and judgmental! Especially if these false teachers grew up in the church or are our personal friends, we think our pastors are unkind! This is the kind of reasoning that allows so many churches to fall prey to these false teachers. Remember, they will not offend you, but entice you instead, pointing out verses that seem to support their stand, and perhaps appeal to your sense of intellectual pride of knowing something that your apparently old-fashioned pastors do not know. Don’t you want to be aware of traps awaiting you in the road ahead, or do you prefer to blithely ignore these warning signs raised by your leaders who care for your very souls?

Thought: Do you honestly think you will never be fooled?

Prayer: May I never ignore warning signs raised by my pastors.