Colossians 1:9 That is why we keep on talking to God about you since the day we heard about you. We ask him that you may know everything he wants you to do. We ask him that you may be very wise and that the Spirit will help you to understand.
10 We ask him that you will live the way the Lord wants you to live, so that you will please him in everything you do. We ask that you will do everything that is good. We ask that you will see the fruit from what you do. We ask that you will know more and more about God.
11 God has wonderful power. And we ask him to give you all the strength you need to go through all your troubles,to be very patient in them, and to be happy.
12 Thank the Father who has made us ready to be with the people of God who live in his light.
Day 23—We must beware lest deception overtake us as the Day of the Lord draws near. |
In the fellowship that was growing in Colosse, there were signs that some believers were being seduced. Paul gave strong warning with regard to the deception that was coming among them. Wherever people are opening themselves to the Truth regarding Christ, the enemy often brings in those who will seek to seduce them from what is wholly true. One thing for which we must be on the watch is, those who come with a great deal of truth, but seasoned with a small amount of deception.
See these words of warning from the Apostle in Colossians 2:8—
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
See this now from J. B. Phillips: I write this to prevent you from being led astray by someone or other’s attractive arguments. For though I am a long way away from you in body, in spirit I am by your side, watching like a proud father the solid steadfastness of your faith in Christ. Just as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so go on living in Him—in simple faith. Grow out of Him as a plant grows out of the soil it is planted in, becoming more and more sure of the faith as you were taught it, and your lives will overflow with joy and thankfulness.
Be careful that nobody spoils your faith through intellectualism or high-sounding nonsense. Such stuff is at best founded on men’s ideas of the nature of the world and disregards Christ!—Colossians 2:4-8
HEAVENLY FATHER, please keep us from being deceived in this awesome hour. Let there come upon all of us in our fellowship a love for the Truth. I do indeed believe this will be our greatest safeguard for the days that are approaching. As we love the Truth, please guide us in our study and in the gifts of the Spirit as they work in our midst.
Being Careful to Receive the Love of the Truth.
—II Thess 2:7-12
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