Colossians 2:8. "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 Christ." SPOILED. We may not fully realize the kind of opposition we have to face. It is more like actual warfare than just a casual meeting in some place. Because the stakes are high when philosophies conflict;
Eternal destinies are the outcome, not just life and our approach to it.
The normal objective in human philosophy is to exalt the opinions of man, And place human beings higher that we are, and bring God down to a man. That way we are able, philosophers say, to be in control of our own lives. And man himself, sets the standards of life, even to what is wrong or right.
Men make their traditions, then practice them awhile; later turn them into laws. The main consideration is does it suit our needs and opinions, rather than what is its cause. Behind many traditions there were good intentions, but human traditions change. Those who established them at the first; after a few generations would find them strange.
The basic principles of this world do not have God's glory as their aim. The general consensus that the world has, is "Go for it! Make yourself a name!" That started a very long time ago when men built the tower of Babel. People are still trying to make their own way to heaven; and make their own heaven if they were able.
All of these philosophical attempts people make to get other people to follow them, Are doomed to failure and leave people empty, because none deals with the problem of sin. There is a fundamental problem that is overlooked by even the most reasonable philosophy made. Sin can't be dealt with in any lasting effect until the sinner is dead.
All of the philosophies mankind has thought up - each one is doomed to fail. Not only is that a serious problem, but it spoils what human life is meant to entail. Life doesn't even fulfill its purpose, when God isn't given all the control - And the inner man is never satisfied until each finds rest in the soul;
That only can be found in Christ; not in an idea, but in a real Person; Who though we haven't seen with our natural eyes, every human has something in them; That responds to the thought that there is One bigger than me, who someday I have to meet. One's whole life and existence is forever spoiled if they are not prepared their Savior to greet.
"Father God, there have been those in these meetings already who have expressed the vain ideas of men and think they are important. They have put up against Thy Word, their own opinions and take them seriously. Have mercy on them and help me to speak Thy word in the Gospel in ways that will reach their conscience and move them to repent and believe the Gospel. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."