Slavery of the Worst Kind
Colossians • Sermon • Submitted
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· 2 viewsIn Colossians 2:8, Paul teaches us three ways to spot a spiritual slave trader: by their work, their weapons, and their worldview.
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SPIRITUAL SLAVERY
SPIRITUAL SLAVERY
Joshua Harris was a well-known and well-respected pastor among the circles of solid Christianity. He wrote multiple best-selling books and pastored the flagship church of Sovereign Grace Ministries for 11 years. Just this year, he has divorced his wife of 21 years and walked away from the faith altogether.
Marty Sampson was one of the lead writers for a lot of what Hillsong has put out over the last few years. As of August, he now says that his faith is on “shaky ground” and that Christianity “seems like just another religion.”
Charles Templeton was the founder of Youth For Christ and toured with Billy Graham for years on crusades around the world. But 12 years into his public ministry, he became an agnostic after secretly having years of doubt.
The list goes on with men and women throughout history who have started strong in the race of the Christian life, only to fall away before reaching the prize of future glory. So, what is it that causes someone to sell out their lives after seeming like they’re sold out for Christ? What is it that causes someone to leave the narrow path to eternal life for the broad road to eternal death?
One cause of spiritual decay is from internal threats…internal threats. The daily battles against sin just don’t seem worth the trouble anymore. Sin no longer seems evil, but enticing. Compromise after compromise happens, and convictions erode just as quickly as they came. Then, all clarity fades and your fate is worse than before you heard any truth ().
But another, more malicious cause of spiritual decay is from external threats… external threats. The two that immediately come to mind are the world and the devil, right? There’s a third external threat to our faith though, that we’re going to look at tonight - spiritual slave traders.
The one thing that Joshua Harris, Marty Sampson, and Charles Templeton have in common is that they left the truth of the living God for the false truths of a dead world. Why? How? They were deceived and accepted lies as truth.
If prominent people in Christianity are susceptible to being led astray, then we need to be sober-minded about this very real and very active threat to our faith. We must wage war to keep our souls from being captured. And like any war, the key to fighting well is knowing your opponent. Tonight, we’re going to get well-acquainted with an enemy we’ve either faced before or will face in the future: the slave trader.
In , Paul teaches us three ways to spot a spiritual slave trader: by their work, their weapons, and their worldview.
In , Paul teaches us three ways to spot a spiritual slave trader: by their work, their weapons, and their worldview.
Barbara Aland et al., eds., The Greek New Testament, Fifth Revised Edition. (Stuttgart, Germany: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 2014), Col 2:8.
CONTEXT
CONTEXT
So far in Colossians, we’ve seen Paul drill down on the wisdom of the true gospel all throughout the first 23 verses of chapter 1. Then, from verse 24 on, we’ve been following Paul as he shows the Colossians the folly of any false gospel. Paul showcased this reality by highlighting that true shepherds preach a true gospel from . Now, in verses 8-23, after establishing what a real shepherd looks like, he reveals what a fake one looks like, and the differences are massive.
Paul’s main point in writing is to warn the Colossians to be on guard against the looming threat of spiritual slave traders.
Paul is no longer alluding to the purpose of his letter, but stating it plainly. False teachers are beginning to rise up from among the flock in Colossae, just as Paul warned the Ephesian elders about in . So here in verse 8, Paul is giving them the same warning, as he wants them to actively be on guard against the slave traders that are looking for weak souls to devour. Paul’s main goal in writing this verse was to warn the Colossians to be on guard against the looming threat of spiritual slavery.
Paul’s main point in writing this passage was to warn the Colossians to be on guard against the looming threat of spiritual slavery.
Now let’s dive in. Look at with me.
8 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.
THE WORK OF A SPIRITUAL SLAVE TRADER
THE WORK OF A SPIRITUAL SLAVE TRADER
The first clue to spotting a slave trader is by their work… by their work. Look at the beginning of verse 8.
“See to it that no one takes you captive...”
There’s no transition, or ease into this command from the verses prior. Paul is getting right to the point, showing that whatever he is about to say is pretty important.
What’s Paul’s command? To be actively on guard! To actively watch out for! To actively beware of something. What exactly? that “no one takes you captive.” So, Paul is telling the Colossians to be vigilant in sniffing out false teachers.
12 then watch yourself, that you do not forget the Lord who brought you from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
6 And Jesus said to them, “Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness,
6 And Jesus said to them, “Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
12 then watch yourself, that you do not forget the Lord who brought you from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
6 And Jesus said to them, “Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
At first, this might be a little confusing. Why in the world did Paul randomly start talking about kidnapping here? Sounds pretty random to me. But remember the context. What did we just look at last week in verse 4? Look back at what it says.
17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness,
But, what exactly does Paul mean by “takes you captive”? He’s saying, this is what false teachers do! This is how we can know a slave trader when we see one. (By the way, the saying “it takes one to know one” doesn’t really apply here.)
At first, this might be a little confusing. Why in the world did Paul randomly start talking about kidnapping here? Sounds pretty random to me. But remember the context. What did we just look at last week in verse 4? Look back at what it says.
4 I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument.
Paul’s word choice here is very telling. Rather than warning the Colossians about being “led astray”, or about “falling away”, he uses a word that was only used for slave trading. The idea here is to “carry off, enslave, or rob.” So, Paul is telling the Colossians to beware of false teachers because their goal is to enslave you spiritually!
Context is king. So, we can conclude that here in verse 8, Paul’s talking about spiritual matters, not physical ones. He’s telling the Colossians they need
9 Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
Slavery is a concept we’re all pretty familiar with. During the slave trade in the 1700’s, millions of Africans were captured by European slave traders either directly or by delivery from other enemy tribes. American slavery was cruel, oppressive, and dehumanizing.
Slavery is also a concept that Paul was pretty familiar with too. In the time of the New Testament, slavery was similar in many ways to American slavery, but also very different. Many people would sell themselves into slavery because it would guarantee that you’d have food on your table and a roof over your head. However, you’d still be taking a risk with the reality that despite the various privileges ancient slaves received, you were still a slave at the end of the day, so your master could do whatever he wanted with you at any time.
All of that leads us to what Paul is getting at here. These spiritual slave traders are aggressive. They are assertive. And they are active. So watch out!
But what does it look like to watch out for these people? Look at the fruit of their lives! Are they holy, or do they make excuses for not being holy? Listen to what Jesus says in .
16 “You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?
17 “So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.
18 “A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.
19 “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20 “So then, you will know them by their fruits.
THE WEAPONS OF A SPIRITUAL SLAVE TRADER
THE WEAPONS OF A SPIRITUAL SLAVE TRADER
So we’ve looked at the first clue to spotting a spiritual slave trader, which was by their work. The second clue is by their weapons… by their weapons. Look at again.
“through philosophy and empty deceit...”
Paul’s told us that we need to be constantly on guard against the threat of spiritual captivity. How exactly do these men take us captive? By means of philosophy and empty deceit.
This is the only time in the New Testament that this word “philosophy” is used. But in the Greco-Roman world at large, it commonly referred to any way of thinking about humanity, life, and mankind. Essentially, Paul is warning the Colossians that alternative ways of thinking are one of the main weapons employed by spiritual slave traders.
21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,
18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise.
19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, “He is the one who catches the wise in their craftiness”;
20 O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge”—
If we took the time to compare and contrast our culture vs. the culture in Ancient Rome at this time, we’d be surprised to see that there are a lot more similarities than differences. One main similarity is our penchant for philosophy.
Growing up, my friends and I used to love to have discussions about how the world came into existence and what happens after we die. For hours, we would have these talks and I sincerely thought we were so advanced in our thinking and far beyond our peers. Looking back now, I see just how ridiculous and foolish those conversations really were.
It’s good for us to take an inventory on how much knowledge we have about political issues, social justice, and diet plans. Now compare that to how much knowledge we have about Scripture and the Word of God. Yikes!
The interesting thing about those times though, was the fact that one of my closest friends professed to be a Christian - but, when our debates would get going, he didn’t know enough Scripture to refute what I would say or what other skeptics would say. How many of you guys have ever been there before? I know that feeling well and have been there many times since my conversion a few years ago.
It’s not that those things are “bad” in of themselves, but too much of anything can easily end up being a bad thing, unless you’re talking about knowledge of God’s Word!
It’s easy to get discouraged and even to lose confidence in your faith when you lose arguments with unbelievers about truth. Yet be encouraged by this: Losing an argument does not make you wrong. I’ll say that one more time: Losing an argument does not make you wrong.
Unbelief is blinding, and people blinded by their unbelief try as hard as they can to poke holes in your faith. Why? Because they’re constantly convicted whenever they’re around you! So as you continue on in your walk, don’t doubt the truths you have learned because you can’t argue your points as well as the Mormons can, or the Catholics, or Jehovah’s Witnesses, or whoever for that matter! We can have complete confidence that God’s Word is sufficient and perfect and true, regardless of whether or not you and I are eloquent enough to express it! How can I say that? Because God’s Word says so.
160 The sum of Your word is truth,
And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting.
8 The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God stands forever.
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
5 Every word of God is tested;
He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
There’s another main weapon that spiritual slave traders employ, and that weapon is empty deceit… empty deceit. Look at again.
“through philosophy & empty deceit...”
Here, Paul is continuing to develop this idea of how these false teachers are enslaving unsuspecting souls. They are actively causing their victims to believe a false truth. To believe a lie. Basically, Paul is warning the Colossians that alternative ways of thinking and bold deception are two of the main weapons used by spiritual slave traders.
20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation,
21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
22 “And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
A key aspect of deceitfulness is that it always looks legit. It always looks real. We wouldn’t ever fall victim to believing lies if this wasn’t the case!
This is why it’s so important to develop true convictions from the very beginning of our Christian lives. Pastor Jerry Wragg always tells us in class that “a conviction easily changed was a conviction easily gained.”
So how convinced are we of the hope that is in us? Do we really believe what God has to say in His Word? Or do we just go along with it because it’s what our friends our doing?
Do we really believe Jesus when He says, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life”? Or do we just affirm Him with our words and deny Him with our lives?
Do we really believe the apostles when they say that the church is the body of Christ? Or do we just check the box by showing up for Sunday service and skipping out on fellowship with our brothers and sisters in the body?
Make no mistake - if our motives for following Christ are suspect, then it will be revealed.
3 “Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed upon the housetops.
Luke
And if our convictions do not have a solid foundation in Christ, then we are prime candidates to be captured and led into spiritual slavery. We must know the truth on an intellectual level and an experiential level in order to withstand the onslaught of deceitful theories and speculations that we encounter on a daily basis.
THE WORLDVIEW OF A SPIRITUAL SLAVE TRADER
THE WORLDVIEW OF A SPIRITUAL SLAVE TRADER
So, we’ve seen the work of a spiritual slave trader and their preferred weapons. Now, at the end of verse 8, we find the third key to spotting a slave trader: their worldview… their worldview. Look at the remaining section of verse 8 with me.
“according to the tradition of men, according to the standards of the world and not according to Christ.”
From this final part of the chapter, we clearly see three dynamics that make up the worldview of these false teachers.
The first dynamic is that they operate according to the tradition of men… according to the tradition of men.
When you see this, think of a practice that has been handed down for a very long time. What are some basic traditions you can think of that we take part in?
The key to understanding what Paul is saying here is in the specific tradition he is referring to. He is saying that they operate by the tradition of men, that is, sinful humankind.
2 “Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.”
3 And He answered and said to them, “Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?
15 So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.
18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers,
If we’re honest with ourselves though, how many of us live life by those same principles too? Can we really say that we take the time to self-examine and assess whether or not the way we think through life is the way God wants us to think through the Christian life?
You see, the Bible doesn’t just teach us how to live, but it teaches us how to think. This why Paul says what he says in .
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Are we striving to think like Christ? Or do we still think too much like the world does?
More importantly, are we striving to live by the traditions that we are commanded to live by in the New Testament? Or are we unaware of what those traditions even are? The reality is that every single aspect of our lives, down to the habits and traditions we partake in and pass down to the next generation, are to be rooted in our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
The second dynamic of their worldview is that they operate according to the elementary principles of the world… the elementary principles of the world.
What exactly are these “elementary principles”? There’s actually a lot of debate on what Paul is referring to here. Some say that he’s talking about the ABC’s of the world, the most basic principles of understanding. defines it this way:
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
Others say that he’s talking about spiritual authorities in the heavenly places. We visited this idea earlier in Colossians back in verse 16 of chapter 1.
16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.
I believe that in this context, Paul is using “elementary principles” in referent to the primitive ideas that mankind has had about God. Why? Because throughout this chapter in Colossians, Paul is exposing the false teachers for what they are: deceivers whose word has no weight.
20 If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as,
8 However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods.
20 If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as,
21 “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!”
22 (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men?
23 These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.
8 However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods.
9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?
2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.
Sometimes, especially for those of us who have been in Christ for some time, it can be easy for us to forget the bondage of our futile way of life before salvation. I’ve seen it in my own life already, and I’ve barely been a believer for 3 years!
Why is that though? Why do we struggle so much to remember? Because we get proud. We get entitled! We actually start to think we are something, when in reality, we are nothing. Remember what Paul said about our walk with Christ back in verse 7? We are to be “overflowing with gratitude.” With thankfulness. Not one time. Not sometimes. But always. Ongoing. Constantly! When we dwell on the reality of just how pointless and useless life was before we tasted the kindness of the Lord, there’s no other reaction to have but one of thanksgiving and joy at the astounding fact that for some reason, the Lord saved us despite what our pathetic and wicked lives looked like.
But let’s flip that on it’s head for a moment. What if we struggle to see any difference at all in the futility of our lives after our conversion? If that’s the case, we should really think through whether or not we’ve actually tasted the kindness of the Lord in salvation at all. If your life is not transforming, even in the smallest sense, then the problem isn’t with God’s ability to give you victory over sin. The problem is that you might not have access to that power.
The third dynamic of the spiritual slave traders’ worldview is that they don’t operate according to Christ… they don’t operate according to Christ.
This is the clearest dynamic, isn’t it? Yet, it’s also the most condemning. The saddest reality about these deceivers is that they don’t operate by the principles of the risen Lord Jesus.
With this final element of their worldview, Paul is resting his case with the worst fact about these slave traders: they claim to speak for Christ yet they don’t know Him at all and they don’t want to.
But we’ve learned better, haven’t we? We know Christ and most importantly, we know where to find Him. Listen to :
20 But you did not learn Christ in this way,
21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus,
22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,
23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
This is what Paul has been building up to throughout the entire letter. He’s telling the Colossians, “These false teachers are full of lies! Their only goal is to take you captive! They want to deceive you! But you don’t need to be led astray because you already know the truth. Hold fast to what you have heard from the beginning!”
5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel
5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel
3 We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints;
5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel
6 which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth;
7 just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf,
8 and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit.
7 just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf,
7 just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf,
19 For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him,
20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.
21 And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds,
22 yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—
23 if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.
Col. 1:
Col. 1:
Col. 1:
Col. 1:
27 to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself,
2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself,
3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
5 For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ.
7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.
Do you see? It’s so very clear. We don’t have to fall for lies. In fact, we don’t even need to entertain them! What saved us in the beginning was the grace of God through the Word of God! That grace of God is also what will sustain us until the end. How do we access that grace? Where do we find it? The same place it always was… the Word of God.
12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
WHAT NOW?
WHAT NOW?
So, let’s recap. We’ve looked closely at how to spot out a spiritual slave trader. The first way was to look at their work. The second way was to look at their weapons, and the third was to look at their worldview.
I know this passage was the opposite of warm and fuzzy, and we covered some pretty sobering things. But, I want us to walk away with two encouragements, two encouragements.
1) WE ARE SAFE IN THE WORD OF GOD.
1) WE ARE SAFE IN THE WORD OF GOD.
…we are safe in the Word of God. Why do I say that? Because it’s true. Because it’s pure. Because it’s perfect. Because God spoke it, and God never lies.
13 For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself,
14 saying, “I will surely bless you and I will surely multiply you.”
15 And so, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise.
16 For men swear by one greater than themselves, and with them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every dispute.
17 In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath,
18 so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us.
19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil,
20 where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
Heb. 6:17
18 so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us.
So where will we run in times of need? To the God who promises He will never leave us or forsake us, or to the lies of an evil and deceitful world?
2) WE ARE SAFE IN THE FAMILY OF GOD.
2) WE ARE SAFE IN THE FAMILY OF GOD.
…we are safe in the family of God. says the local church is “the pillar and support of the truth.” There is strength in numbers! Do you want to avoid being captured? Then remain in the Head! How? Remain in the body of the Head!
Love for the church displays love for the brethren, which displays love for Jesus Christ Himself. So do we really love Him? Or do we love our sin? The answer to this question is the only difference between those who are taken captive and those who are not. Let’s pray.