It is so easy to get persuaded into things. So often we can see some stats or fancy rhetoric and things start to look attractive. Beguiling speech gets the best of us. We are charmed into believing things after a few minutes of conversation. There are moments when one minute we are holding tight to our beliefs and the next minute we are misled into standing for something else.
In the Letter to the Colossians, Paul addresses the false teachings that invaded the church at Colossae. A church that stood firm for years, a church founded on the firm foundation of Christ, was starting to drift toward these falsehoods. The Jews were trying to get circumcision, food rules and festivities to be followed, though they were not from the teachings of Christ. The Gnostics were sharing something totally different. People were picking and choosing a little of this and a little of that instead of sticking with Jesus.
Soon rather than it be said that Jesus is Lord, it became Jesus is a Lord—One of many, rather than the One. Jesus went from everything to something. How easy it is for us to be misled and persuaded. What can we do? Hold fast to Christ. Be sure His Word is your plumb line. With the Bible as your standard, you can stand against what is persuasive, attractive and charming. When you are fixed on Him, it is difficult to be misled. When you hold tight to the Truth, you are less likely to believe the lies.
I say this in order that no one may mislead and delude you by plausible and persuasive and attractive arguments and beguiling speech. – Colossians 2:4 [AMP]
Tania Gutekunst 