Colossians 2:8
See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
Truth: The world doesn't want us to know the truth in Christ!
The purpose of Paul writing to the believers in the Colossians' letter is to warn them about the dangers found in the false philosophy of the world. The false teachers noticed the fertile ground in the church and sought to "take captive" those who would listen. In the above passage Paul warns the church to be aware of this false teaching and to "see to it" that they are no so lead astray. This phrase, "see to it" is the Greek, "blepo" and Vine states the following in regard to its use here:
2. blepo (βλέπω, 991) is also used of (a) bodily and (b) mental vision, (a) “to perceive,” e.g., Matt. 13:13; (b) “to take heed,” e.g., Mark 13:23, 33; it indicates greater vividness than horao, expressing a more intent, earnest contemplation; in Luke 6:41, of “beholding” the mote in a brother’s eye; Luke 24:12, of “beholding” the linen clothes in the empty tomb; Acts 1:9, of the gaze of the disciples when the Lord ascended. The greater earnestness is sometimes brought out by the rendering “regardest,” Matt. 22:16. See beware, heed, lie, look, perceive, regard, see, sight.
Paul is warning these believers to have an urgent look and make sure that the things they are listening to and following are not the philosophies of the world, that will be the opposite of what Paul says about Christ in Colossians 2:3. In that passage Paul says the following about Christ:
Colossians 2:3
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
They were to understand that "in Christ" they had all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge and therefore what the world offered in its teaching was "empty deceit." Paul offered Christ (full of knowledge and wisdom), while the teaching of the world offered "human traditions and elemental spirits of the world (empty deceit). Paul goes on to state that not only was the content of their teaching empty and based upon man's simply thoughts, their teaching also "takes you captive." Christ teaching set us free (Galatians 5:1). The teaching of the world takes us captive. They world, Satan's tool to hold back Christ's message, wants to deny us the truth found in Christ. They offer nothing that can satisfy or make us complete. Christ, on the other hand, has made us free and has filled us by us being IN Him. That's what he goes on to say, after telling these believers to be ware:
Colossians 2:9-10
For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.
We are complete in Christ and need nothing else to satisfy our longing souls. The world's teaching keeps you wanting more and never filled. Christ fills us by our being IN Him. We are to be assured we aren't taken captive by these false teachings.
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