“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 (Colossians 2:8).
TEXT — Colossians 2:8-12
The tragic hijacking of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 961 on November 23, 1996, caught the aviation industry and the whole world unawares. The flight took off from Addis Ababa, bound for Nairobi. Midway, some hijackers who posed as regular travellers like others seized control of the plane and forced the pilots to divert towards Australia, even though they were running low on fuel. The plane eventually crashed in the Indian Ocean in the Comoros Islands, killing many people.
Apostle Paul also warned Christians in Colosse not to allow spiritual hijackers to take them hostage. He warned strongly against false teachers who spread misleading doctrines, confusing upcoming believers in Christ. While new Christian converts naturally seek spiritual growth and thirst for a deeper knowledge of God, they can easily become vulnerable. False teachers, much like skyjackers, employ human traditions, worldly philosophies, persuasive speech, intellectual charm, counterfeit miracles, and sinister social media tactics to ensnare and exploit individuals.
So, what’s the best defence against spiritual hijackers? Know the truth and be steadfastly committed to Christ in whom the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily. Believers are complete in Christ. Therefore, do not seek spiritual experiences outside Him and the boundaries of Scripture. Christ’s sacrifice is more than enough for our salvation. Any teaching that undermines His redemptive work or suggests some false add-ons, rituals, or human formulas is to be rejected. In these days of increasing spiritual deception, God calls believers to be vigilant and discerning. Christian leaders must also pay attention to maturing God’s flock, focusing on Christ’s finished work rather than human contrivances. Jesus is sufficient for every need, and He is the answer to every question.
Thought for the day
Every faith foundation outside Christ is sinking sand.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
