Plausible Arguments

Christians are meant not only to profess faith in Christ, but to practice it. This encouragement includes a sober warning: that no one might delude us with plausible arguments (v. 6) or take us captive by philosophy and empty deceit (v. 8). Paul doesn’t say exactly how we are in danger, but he offers one clear remedy: to center every truth around the person and work of Christ. And if we pay attention to the particular qualities of Christ he highlights, we can apply them to the many ways we can be deluded or taken captive today. Jesus alone has 1) the wisdom to define reality for us, 2) the authority to include us, and 3) the power to change us. Each of these truths about Jesus can help Christians counter the many distortions that delude us today, like living for expressive individualism, blindness to the influence of literal and spiritual authorities over us, and friendly pity that seeks to release us from the burdens of discipleship.