Colossians 2:4
“And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.”
The Word of God was not only written as a handbook for the Christian to succeed, but also as a warning guide of things that will destroy them. In every walk of life there are pitfalls of which a person must beware lest they fall into them. The sports world has a meeting with all of its rookies before the season starts and warns them of the pitfalls of their profession. Bible college students oftentimes go through an orientation to warn them of the pitfalls they may encounter during their college years. Knowing the pitfalls should keep you from falling if you obey the warning signs.
The Apostle Paul showed the church of Corinth three pitfalls to their faith. He, like many preachers, saw many Christians come and go and he narrowed down their demise into three areas. Like the Apostle Paul, I have watched many good Christians fall into the traps he mentions in this chapter, and I believe it is important that you learn the pitfalls so that you can avoid them.
The first pitfall you must be careful of is enticing words. Paul warned the church of Colosse, “…this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.” Just because a person has a way with words does not make them right. When enticing words directly contradict the Word of God, then the person saying those words must be avoided. I have watched over recent years people who are enamored with someone who uses big words to enamor people with their intellect. Friend, don’t let the enticing words lure you. God doesn’t use elaborate words in the Scriptures to teach us; instead, God used words that everyone understands so that doctrine is plain and simple to understand. Always beware of those who try to impress you with their great vocabulary for they may use it to turn you from your beliefs.
The second pitfall you must be careful of is philosophy. Verse 8 says, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit…” I’m not against a person using philosophy as long as the philosophy comes from the Word of God. The Word of God is the final authority for the Christian, and when someone starts using worldly philosophy and spiritualizes it, that does not make them right. Always remember that we don’t need new philosophy, we just need to keep repeating the same philosophies found in the Scriptures. You can’t get deeper than God’s Word.
The third pitfall you must be careful of is reward. Verse 18 says, “Let no man beguile you of your reward…” I have watched many people get bought because of reward. I’m not against someone giving rewards, but you must be careful that they are not trying to buy you. Friend, when someone gives you a reward when you have had no relationship with them, then you must wonder what they want from you. When people heap rewards upon you, always be careful that they don’t use those rewards to lure you away from God’s Word.
These are three pitfalls to which many have fallen prey. I hope that you would take this short admonition to always be a warning sign when you see them. If you will always keep your eyes solely upon God and His Word, then you will find that these pitfalls will not have much lure to sway you from God’s Word.