Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. Col 2:8 (NKJV)
I've been thinking a lot about this verse lately as I watch so much pop psychology work its way into the pulpits and churches across America. So much of even our church growth principles are based on psychological manipulation instead of the power of Christ and the cross. We have begun to see more and more of a Jesus being preached as someone who will make you feel better. We are hearing more about self-esteem, self-worth, self-fulfillment, self-actualization from Christian leaders and pulpits. Maybe it's just me, but I can't help notice that as more and more of this is taught, there seems to be less and less people in the pews and more and more sin in the lives of believers.
The Bible talks about self but mostly in the context of self-control, self-discipline and denial of self. I for one don't want to be filled with self ... that's my problem in the first place. Feeling better about my self isn't going to make me closer to God, it will push me away from God. I don't need a psychological makeover, I need a supernatural transformation. I need my old self to die and be replaced with an entirely new creation. And only God can do that.
Don't put your faith in modern psychology and its principles to stop sinful behavior. We tend to think what we know today is the ultimate in knowledge for treating bad behavior. It was just two hundred years ago when they were still bleeding and purging people and drilling holes in their head to cure them from deviant behavior. Two hundred years from now (should the Lord tarry) people will call our modern practices obsolete and antiquated. We need to remember, God knows far more about human nature than man will ever know or even can know. You cannot find the answer in the principles of the world.
The bottom line truth is that we misbehave, we choose wrong behavior, we rebel against what is right because we are sinful. All the other "stuff" like our upbringing and environment and experiences steer us in various paths but they are not what put us on the sin path in the first place. Go to the root cause and you'll find a sinful nature that hates God and wants to be in control. Take that to the cross and let Christ deal with you there. If you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, reckon yourselves dead to sin and alive to Him. As Colossians 2:9,10 continue "For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power." Abide in Him for in Him is life and peace.
Copyright © 2006 Greg Holl. All rights reserved.
I've been thinking a lot about this verse lately as I watch so much pop psychology work its way into the pulpits and churches across America. So much of even our church growth principles are based on psychological manipulation instead of the power of Christ and the cross. We have begun to see more and more of a Jesus being preached as someone who will make you feel better. We are hearing more about self-esteem, self-worth, self-fulfillment, self-actualization from Christian leaders and pulpits. Maybe it's just me, but I can't help notice that as more and more of this is taught, there seems to be less and less people in the pews and more and more sin in the lives of believers.
The Bible talks about self but mostly in the context of self-control, self-discipline and denial of self. I for one don't want to be filled with self ... that's my problem in the first place. Feeling better about my self isn't going to make me closer to God, it will push me away from God. I don't need a psychological makeover, I need a supernatural transformation. I need my old self to die and be replaced with an entirely new creation. And only God can do that.
Don't put your faith in modern psychology and its principles to stop sinful behavior. We tend to think what we know today is the ultimate in knowledge for treating bad behavior. It was just two hundred years ago when they were still bleeding and purging people and drilling holes in their head to cure them from deviant behavior. Two hundred years from now (should the Lord tarry) people will call our modern practices obsolete and antiquated. We need to remember, God knows far more about human nature than man will ever know or even can know. You cannot find the answer in the principles of the world.
The bottom line truth is that we misbehave, we choose wrong behavior, we rebel against what is right because we are sinful. All the other "stuff" like our upbringing and environment and experiences steer us in various paths but they are not what put us on the sin path in the first place. Go to the root cause and you'll find a sinful nature that hates God and wants to be in control. Take that to the cross and let Christ deal with you there. If you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, reckon yourselves dead to sin and alive to Him. As Colossians 2:9,10 continue "For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power." Abide in Him for in Him is life and peace.
Copyright © 2006 Greg Holl. All rights reserved.
