Young People's Group

ESTABLISHED IN THE FAITH

by Pastor Mitch
May 26, 2013

Beware Of The Deception Of False Teachers

Young Christians need to be warned of the danger of being deluded by falsehood. We can be easily swayed and deceived if our faith has not reached the required level of being established.

“Lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words.” 
Colossians 2:4

“Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” 
Colossians 2:8

The apostle Paul warned the Colossian church concerning false teachers who had infiltrated the churches and were deceiving them with their fallacious teachings. The word “deceive” in the Greek means “to reason with a parallel form of logic”. The false teachers were speaking words that seemed very convincing and logical. And yet Paul knew that they were propagating a form of false reasoning that was contrary to the truth. The word “cheat” in Greek is where we get the English word “Syllogism” from. In the context of Colossians 2, false teachers would use false logical inferences to “carry away” people as “spoils of war”. Worldly philosophy and worthless deceit would be employed to lead people astray. Young people, let’s take heed lest we be deceived by such falsehood.

The Challenge To Be Established In The Faith

How can we stand against the attacks of false teachers? Let’s learn to have an established faith.

1. Having Full Assurance Of Understanding Of God And Christ

“Attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ” 
Colossians 2:2

Paul sought to be with the Colossian Church because he wanted to encourage their hearts. He saw how their hearts bonded together as one when there was a full assurance of their understanding and knowledge concerning our heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus. It is having a deep knowledge of God that will help us to be established in our faith. Let’s continue to grow in our knowledge.

2. Having Steadfastness Of Faith

“Rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.” 
Colossians 2:5

The apostle Paul also rejoiced in the Lord when he saw the good orderliness and resoluteness of faith of the Colossian Church. Faith would cause us to live our life well in an orderly manner. We would seek to be faithful to Christ no matter what. Whatever people might say or write, we would not be moved by falsehood. We would persevere in our faith and love for the Lord Jesus.

3. Walking In The Lord As We Should

“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.” 
Colossians 2:6-7

If we truly have received the Lord Jesus, then our challenge is to walk in Him. We would seek to be rooted and grounded in Him. There must be deep roots in Christ and His word. We would recall all the things that we have been taught and give thanks for His blessings. Let’s do all we can to walk in the light of the Lord Jesus and in His word. Let’s learn to love Him even more.

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