Much to my dismay, someone whom I love dearly and who was very influential to me and my faith has unfortunately turned away from the faith. This person stated that he was searching for the truth. I thought to myself, You already have the truth! After being deceived into thinking that Christ was not enough, my friend started searching for even more false teaching.

Paul warns us of these false teachings in verse 8, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” What a contrast these “hollow and deceptive” teachings are to his description of what we have in Christ, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (v. 3).

Friend, as believers in Christ Jesus, we no longer have to search for truth. Christ is the fullness of truth and all we need for wisdom and knowledge! That is why Paul writes, “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority” (vv. 9–10). Not only does this fullness refer to Christ, but also to us. We are no longer lacking, because we are in Him. We are made complete in Jesus!

The proof of us being complete in Him is that our sinful nature was put off or put to death by Christ (v. 11). Paul says, “In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ.” As a result, we were raised with Him spiritually by the working of God who raised Christ from the dead (v. 12).

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In Paul’s day, there was no social media. He did not have a Smart TV or a laptop. Paul did not know any celebrity influencers. Today, our lives are infiltrated with all of these things. Every day we are confronted with messages from a world whose beliefs are often in direct contradiction to God and His Word.

So, while Paul was not familiar with the onslaught of communication methods we face in our modern age, his words in Colossians 2:8 are on point: “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” To be taken captive means that someone else has gained control of us. We are no longer acting or thinking for ourselves.

Jesus called Himself the “good shepherd” (John 10:11). As a shepherd, He cares for His sheep, leads them, and even lays down his life for them. Jesus warned His followers that others would not have their best interest at heart. These “thieves and robbers” come “to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:8, 10).

Paul issues stern warnings against absorbing the world’s hollow and deceptive philosophy. The church in Greco-Roman culture was heavily influenced by this type of thinking that was independent of and opposed to God. This is why Paul points them back to the truth in verses 9–10: “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form and in Christ you have been brought to fullness.” Romans 12:2 gives the same warning, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is.”

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When we look back at our lives, most of us will find a trail of unfinished interests and incomplete projects. Maybe we bought an exercise bike only to see it draped with clothes in the corner of a room. We unearth a box of knitting needles and yarn with a partially created scarf still hanging on the needles. It is easy to start, but harder to continue.

In all of his letters to early believers, Paul urged them to “continue” in the faith. In Colossians chapter 2, he echoes this same message: “Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him” (v. 5). At each location, he had planted churches and introduced many to Jesus, now he is writing back to those same people asking, “Are you continuing in the faith?”

Paul’s advice to the Colossians is good advice for us as well. How do we finish what we start when it comes to our faith? First, we must stay “rooted and built up in him” (v. 7). Strong roots nourish a plant. Without active, growing roots, a tree will die. In the same way, believers need nourishment to continue in faith. We stay rooted by being connected to God in prayer, by reading and applying His Word, by staying engaged in a community of Christ followers.

Second, Paul says that we should be “strengthened in the faith as you were taught” (v. 7). Strength training is not a once-and-done process. Muscles that are not used will weaken. Strengthening in the faith requires constant exercise of trusting and believing in God, following His direction, obeying His call.

Finally, Paul says that we must be “overflowing with thankfulness” (v. 7). It is time for a thankfulness check! As we look at our prayer life and our speech, are they marked by thankfulness? Refocusing on God and what He has done will change our hearts from anxious to “overflowing.”

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