Now this I say ?lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. (Colossians 2:4)
Devotional
No matter how persuasive someone might be, if what they are saying is contrary to the Word of God you are being persuaded to sin. I know that in our post-Christian culture this sounds archaic, but in a pre-judgment age it must be heeded. No matter how good something sounds, it must be weighed by the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Social, economical and political persuasion is not to be the basis of fact and truth. Furthermore and unfortunately, many deceptive persuasive words are found in some of our churches. It matters not what is said on the door, what matters is what is being said as “thus says the Lord.” Because a building is called a church, does not necessarily make it the bastion of the truth. Therefore we must know the scriptures, we must weigh the spirits and we must know what we believe and why we believe it.
Thought For The Night
“Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” Unknown
Evening Text
Colossians 2:4: Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words.
Looking for Answers
Does God ever deceive through persuasive words?
Have you ever been deceived through persuasive words?
Have you ever deceived through persuasive words?
Evening Study Guide
Defining: “Persuasive”: The power to change a mind or bring about new or different beliefs or acts.
Referencing: “My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God,” 1 Corinthians 2:4-5.
Applying: By all means, be persuasive, but never for the sake of deceiving or with words of human wisdom, but in love and the power of God.