Colossians 2:6-8
6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
What we think and believe matters, as it affects how we behave. We are often unaware of how we are influenced by ideas from the media and our culture. But often our struggles are tied to incorrect beliefs about sexuality, marriage, and God. There are many examples in media (books, TV, movies, etc) that idealize illicit sex and portray married life or purity as something old-fashioned and repressive. Those ideas influence what we value, which is why Paul warns us in verse 8 to "see to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit". He goes on to say that these "empty deceits" are based on "human tradition" (i.e. the culture around us). We need to decide whether we will trust the teaching of Christ or of the world. The world values self-pleasure while the Bible teaches that real sexual satisfaction comes from marriage and monogamy.
Lord, help me to see the truth in Your principles, and not be deceived by the culture around me.
6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
What we think and believe matters, as it affects how we behave. We are often unaware of how we are influenced by ideas from the media and our culture. But often our struggles are tied to incorrect beliefs about sexuality, marriage, and God. There are many examples in media (books, TV, movies, etc) that idealize illicit sex and portray married life or purity as something old-fashioned and repressive. Those ideas influence what we value, which is why Paul warns us in verse 8 to "see to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit". He goes on to say that these "empty deceits" are based on "human tradition" (i.e. the culture around us). We need to decide whether we will trust the teaching of Christ or of the world. The world values self-pleasure while the Bible teaches that real sexual satisfaction comes from marriage and monogamy.
Lord, help me to see the truth in Your principles, and not be deceived by the culture around me.