As I read my Bible these days, I feel kind of like an explorer. Like a spiritual Indiana Jones, I seek treasures that are just around the corner. Thank goodness I don't have to dodge any huge boulders! However, as I read the second chapter of Colossians this morning, I realized that we really do have to watch out for traps as we study.
Paul warned in chapter 2: "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) When you hear something that doesn't ring true, investigate! Go back to the beginning, where you first started this spiritual journey of yours. The beginning is Jesus. He alone has the answers because He alone has seen the Father, our creator. God sent His son to us not only to reconcile us to Himself through forgiveness of sins but also to reveal to us who God the Father truly is. If it doesn't fit with the things Jesus revealed to us about God then it needs investigating with prayer and research.
And we have another tool to use when we are wondering if a certain teaching or doctrine is true or not. Jesus said that He would send the Comforter, the Holy Spirit to each of us: "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14:26) The Holy Spirit is like a guide helping us to find our way to the treasures the Bible has for us. He can also help us detect and disarm the traps set in our way.
As Biblical explorers, Jesus tells us to "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." (Matthew 7:7) Like spiritual treasure hunters, we are to go through our lives asking questions, seeking answers and opening doors. We have only to ask our guide and He will show us the way, giving us the keys to understanding, opening doors to the knowledge the Bible has for us.
However, here is also a good example of one of the "traps" Paul was talking about being wary of. Some people take the verse above and say that God wants us all to be rich and prosperous, we just have to ask for anything we want and God will give it to us. If christians are not rich then it's just because they lack faith in God. Now think about this doctrine: do you personally think God values wealth and prosperity? Remember Jesus, the Son of God, was born in a stable, into a poor workman's family, not a palace. Remember too that He was homeless during His ministry, mostly camping out and what we would call today 'couch surfing' (Matthew 8:20). And what does Jesus himself say about being rich and prosperous? He said "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21) Armed with knowledge from the Bible itself, we can disarm this deceitful trap that tries to focus our attention on earthly counterfeits instead of the Heavenly wealth God has in store for us.
So let's gather our courage and go exploring, seeking treasures that matter. We just need to use the tools our Heavenly Father gave us to find the knowledge and wisdom He has waiting for us in His Word. But we must also become adept at using those same tools and the knowledge we have gathered to disarm the traps that are set in our way!
(this made me think of that famous line said by the intrepid explorer and I decided to use it for my title, LOL)