Friday, November 21, 2008
Paul's instruction to Timothy is followed by the warning that some will fall away from the faith to follow other interests. He characterizes these as deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, word images that conjure up all sorts of bizarre ideas about what Paul might have in mind. I don't believe Paul is worried about mid-night rituals involving animal sacirifices or cauldrons of mysterious brews. He is more likely thinking of the types of distractions from the truth he has dealt with already.
Colossians 2:8 is a good example: See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.
There are a lot of things out here that sound good and appeal to us. Those are what require we stay on our guard. That is also why we are commanded to be craftsmen in handling the Word of Truth (2 Timothy 2:15).
Colossians 2:8 is a good example: See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.
There are a lot of things out here that sound good and appeal to us. Those are what require we stay on our guard. That is also why we are commanded to be craftsmen in handling the Word of Truth (2 Timothy 2:15).
