COLOSSIANS 2:4

“I say this so that no one will deceive you with persuasive arguments.”

Some people have the ability to tell you anything and make you believe it, don’t they? We have just come out of a highly contentious political season here in the U.S. The “gift of gab” is something almost every politician has, and they use it to try to get you on their side. It doesn’t matter if what they are selling is something you need. They just want to convince you they are right, and the other person is wrong.

The Greek word translated as “persuasive speech” is pithanologia and is only used here in the New Testament. It “refers to speech that is crafted to be persuasive or convincing, often with the implication of being misleading or deceptive. It is used to describe arguments that may sound reasonable or plausible but are ultimately intended to lead one away from the truth.” (Strong’s Lexicon).

APPLICATION

How do we guard ourselves against this? James addresses this same issue in James 1:22 when he writes, “Do not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourself; do what it says.” The key is knowing and living the Word of God. If we do that, we will recognize these deceptive words being thrown our way. We will recognize the lies and half-truths when they told to us.

You see, Paul knew the Colossian believers would be attacked by those in their environment who thought differently. You can just add this Jesus to our other gods we worship. What is so special about your faith compared to the centuries of our beliefs. Persuasive argument users doesn’t have to get you to actually join them. If they can just get you doubting what you believe, they have won.

Psalm 119 has 176 verses. Almost every verse mentions God’s Word (laws, statutes, commandments, etc). Verse 11 says this, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” If you and I do that, we can prepare our ears to recognize these “persuasive arguments” that Paul warns us about. Get in the Word!

Father, guard my ears by filling my heart with Your Word.