Sadly, not all share the mind of Christ. At Colossi some members fall for human teachings. They try to re-impose Old Testament rules like the Sabbath,23 and they follow visions about angels. “Such a person,” says Paul, “has lost connection with the Head” (Colossians 2:18-19). Satan schemes to capture Christians by human minds that no longer depend on Christ.
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 (Colossians 2:8). M
Paul is especially concerned about this scheme’s impact at Ephesus.
Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. And when they came to him, he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia…. Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them (Acts 20:17-18,28-30).
First there is “the flock… the church of God;” then there are wolves that “draw away disciples after them.” First there is “the truth;” then leaders “twist” it. Paul’s concern for Ephesus grows to become a major theme of his letters to Timothy.
To Timothy, my true child in the faith: “…As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine” (1 Timothy 1:2-3).
Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons… who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created (1 Timothy 4:1,3).
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths (2 Timothy 4:3-4). M
First there is “the faith;” then there are “things taught by demons.” First there is “the truth;” then there are “myths.” “A great number of teachers” betray the mind of Christ in order to please human minds.24 What happens when teachers tell people “what their itching ears want to hear”? Factions must follow, for people have many different likes and dislikes. What tickles one ear may not tickle another ear. There is no end to the variety of human tastes. There is, therefore, no end to divisions when human minds replace the mind of Christ.
23. Colossians 2:16-23; see Study Note Six: Abolishing The Law.
24. Galatians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:4; 2 Peter 2:1-2
Picture: In line with the columns along Curetes Street stands a statue that now has no head. Its lifeless, headless state resembles the tragedy of those who, while claiming to be Christians, are “not holding fast to the Head” (Colossians 2:19).