Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser
We live in an era defined by an “information explosion,” where we are more connected and more susceptible than ever. Our world is saturated with ideas that sound wise, progressive, and empowering – philosophies that promise fulfilment, success, and enlightenment. Yet beneath their appealing surface, many are built on a foundation of shifting sand, rooted not in eternal truth but in fleeting trends of human thought and the elemental principles of a world at odds with its Creator. Deception doesn’t always come dressed as lies; sometimes it wears the face of reason. But God’s truth never changes. His wisdom stands firm when human wisdom fails. So, how can you discern hollow philosophy from eternal truth? Where can you anchor your mind when every current tries to carry you away? This article encourages you to stand firm in the truth of God’s word, guard your faith, and let God’s wisdom guide your life.
“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” (Colossians 2:8).
The Bible warns us to guard against empty, deceptive philosophies rooted in limited human reasoning. “Empty deceit” means “high-sounding nonsense”; the words literally mean “empty illusion.” The wisdom of this world is foolishness compared with God’s wisdom. This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, 24 but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord (Jeremiah 9:23-24).
Intelligence, power, and wealth can create the illusion that we are in control – but that illusion will eventually fade. God regards human wisdom as foolishness; His thoughts are far above ours. Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts”. God’s divine perspective and plans are far beyond human understanding. God does not require us to understand His will, only to obey it, even if it seems unreasonable. Even when we do not comprehend what the Lord is doing in our lives, He wants us to trust Him. His wisdom and perspective are far greater than our own. Even when we cannot discern His methods or timing, we must trust Him, for His way is the best.
Human reasoning is limited, but God’s ways are perfect. My friend, don’t be deceived: we must trust in a wisdom that surpasses human understanding – God’s wisdom. The Bible speaks critically of human wisdom, but that does not mean salvation is only for those who lack intelligence. God’s truth is deeply logical, though it rests on a foundation different from human reasoning: faith in a God who loves us and desires what is best for us. Human wisdom seeks to understand life apart from God. It says to stockpile everything we can in difficult times – a reasonable approach if we had no God and were entirely dependent on ourselves. But God calls us to give from what we have, trusting that He will bless us and provide more.
“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38).
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Galatians 6:7-9).
" The Bible warns us to guard against empty, deceptive philosophies rooted in limited human reasoning. "
God’s way is better, yet the natural person cannot see its wisdom. Those who do not believe in God cannot trust Him to intervene. Christians are not called to be mindless. God gave us our minds and wants us to use them, but in every judgment, we must take into account the truths He has revealed in His Word. When we do, those who pride themselves on their intellect yet deny God may call us foolish because we believe by faith. But who is the real fool? God’s Word says, “The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God” (Psalms 14:1 and 53:1).
There is no greater fool than those who deny the existence of God because they can’t see Him. This is the kind of wisdom the Bible warns against. The world’s philosophy is vain and deceitful. Paul warned the Colossians to guard themselves against empty, deceptive philosophies based on limited human reasoning. In Colossians 2:9, the Bible says about Jesus, “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily”. It may be impossible for our little peanut brain to comprehend how Jesus could be fully human and fully divine at the same time. But Scripture clearly teaches this, and we must accept it, even if we do not understand it. Jesus said, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).
The Bible says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:1, 14); who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross (Philippians 2:6-8).
Deception is often hardest to recognise while it is happening. Too often, people give greater authority to a doctor, lawyer, friend, or news report than to the Word of God. That should not be so. No matter how far human knowledge advances, the truth of God’s Word remains infinitely more reliable and profound than human theories. Christians can feel intimidated by intellectuals who promote ideas such as evolution. Their arguments may sound impressive, dressed up in complicated language. But one day, we will all stand before God, and every argument raised against His truth will be exposed as “high-sounding nonsense.” The enemy also deceives us through the traditions of this world. Tradition can have a powerful hold on us. No wonder Jesus warned that human tradition can make the Word of God ineffective.
Many people do what they do simply because it has been done that way for centuries. When it comes to religion, tradition nearly always hinders the Word of God. We can neutralise the positive power of God’s Word towards us, and nothing does that any quicker than elevating man’s traditions above God’s Word. The bible says, “making the word of God of none effect through your tradition” (Mark 7:13). God’s Word is still true. “Let God be true, and every human being a liar”. As it is written: “So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge” (Romans 3:3-4). The word of God is so powerful and will not return to Him void. “My word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Says the Lord (Isaiah 55:11). But it may produce the negative results of judgment instead of the positive results of salvation.
