Relationships #2 - You don't rule over me
We are talking about how you should not be taken captive by the simple principles of the world.
• • • • • • •
Matthew 6:24 "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.
Colossians 2:8a “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world…”
Don’t let the empty deceptions of the elementary principles of the world take you captive. When does an elementary principle turn into an empty deception that rules over you? Pride is when we raise something or someone up higher than Jesus. When a principle is raised up higher than Jesus, it can become an empty deception.
The simple human structure of the world: Do you raise up any of the following things higher than they should be? higher than Jesus?
governors, leaders and politics: Does Jesus agree with your politics?
slavery, race, gender: These issues are so important, but do you take up the cause at all cost?
global warming and cooling: Should we be afraid of the end of the world? Jesus declared how the earth will end, and climate change isn’t it.
care of nature: Is a human life more important than protecting nature?
pets: Is human life more important than pets?
health: stewardship vs. obsession
food, alcohol and drugs: stewardship vs. pleasure
hobbies, vacations, home entertainment, date nights, and dancing: What makes any of these things have lasting real value?
Prayer coaching: “Jesus I give you permission to confront me when I am wrong. Show me what simple things of this world that I have lifted too high. Correct me and tell me what to do. Show me how to put everything in its rightful place of priority.”