In a couple of days we will celebrate July 4th in the United States. This date marks a time in history when we declared our independence from Great Britain. For the past 243 years, the citizens of the United States have fought to maintain their freedom that they cherished so much.
Even though we may be physically free from any tyrannical rule that is so common around the world today, we can still lose our freedom and be held captive in another more devastating way. Paul warned the Colossian church about the danger of losing one’s freedom.
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 (NKJV)
The word “cheat” means “to plunder” or “take one captive”. Christians may live in a free country and be held captive at the same time. The captivity that Paul warns us about is a mental and spiritual one. Far too many Christians are living in captivity today as they have been cheated through philosophy that follows the tradition of men and the basic principles of the world. Simply put, the majority of Christians today have been taken captive by a false worldview.
When we are captive to false ideas, we are forced to live our lives in bondage and must follow the bidding of the culture that is in control. In his sermon this morning, Pastor James McMenis, talked about how Christians many times find themselves living as pawns and not kings. He defined a pawn as one who must advance another person’s agenda. In chess, a pawn is described as one of eight least valuable pieces of the game. The Cambridge dictionary describes a pawn as one who is controlled by others for their own advantage.
This is exactly what happens when we are taken captive by false ideas. We end up as pawns of the culture and are controlled by the false worldview for the enemy’s advantage. What causes us to be taken captive by a false worldview? There are many ways that a Christian can be taken captive by false ideas. However, the most common way is through education in general and schooling specifically. The majority of children and youth from Christian homes are educated in a secular system of education that is determined to make them captives of a secular worldview. Once they have been taken captive by a secular worldview, they will make their decisions based on that false worldview. They become pawns of the world.
Even though we may be pawns of a false worldview, we can find true freedom by following another one of Paul’s admonitions to the church. In his second letter to the church in Corinth, Paul writes,
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 (NKJV)
When a Christian finds himself/herself captive to false ideas, the only way to freedom is to go on offense and take each and every thought one has about every area of life captive to Christ. Since Jesus is the Word, this passage is telling us that our thoughts must be in line with God’s Word. True freedom comes from thinking biblically about all of life. In Romans 12:2, Paul exhorts Christians to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This causes us to no longer be pawns (controlled) of the world.
Of course, this requires that we must read, study and meditate on God’s Word each and every day. Jesus stressed how important abiding in God’s Word is to His followers.
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32 (NKJV)
Here Jesus is talking to Christians, those who believed Him. He urges them to not be merely believers but become His disciples. According to these verses, a disciple of Jesus Christ is one who abides in His Word. What is the result of becoming a disciple? A disciple will know the truth and be set free. Free from what? Free from being captive to false ideas and living a life in bondage to the principles of the world.
At a time when we celebrate our political freedom from tyrannical rule, lets make our freedom complete by renewing our minds, taking every thought captive to the Word, and becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ. Then, lets provide our children with a kingdom education that will lead them to think and act from a biblical worldview. It’s time to celebrate our freedom in Christ!
Great read! Very well written. My prayer is that we’re free from the bondage/pawns of this world.
First rate, thanks Glen. Slavery of the mind has increasing long term consequences. We work in Haiti, a nation where slavery ended 60 years before it did in the U.S. But even as Haitians freed themselves from physical slavery, they intentionally took on the mental and spiritual slavery of voodoo. To this day Haitians suffer the consequences of the false worldview that comes with it.
The future could be much worse for nations like Canada and the U.S. that once knew the truth but choose not to teach it in their government schools!
Hello Glen,
This is one of the cornerstone verses that established the reason for intentional Christ-centered instruction. I particularly like the New Living Translation that uses the words “high sounding nonsense” in the place of “empty deceit”. So often Christians are taken captive by messages that are delivered by culturally respected people or by messages that sound pretty important, yet are utterly nonsense. When teachers intentionally provide Christ-centered instruction, where students are engaged in critical analysis of the nonsensical ideas, they become more aware of Truth. Thank you for your influence on all of us.
“High sounding nonsense” is exactly what false ideas are. Thanks for the comment.
Our last child just graduated from a Christian school…praise God! He gave us that focus and commitment to do whatever it took to give them a biblical worldview.
Then, to my surprise, God sent me into the public school. After 2+ years, my eyes are wide open. God has given me a passion to rescue the children, pray for the “sleepy, deceived” Christian educators and revival/awakening to come fast. As hard as it is, I love telling the kids about Jesus and a biblical worldview, especially @ recess.
Please pray for obedience and boldness every day.
Thank you for your article.