Again, we can be deceived by false reasoning, by falsely-drawn conclusions, by

permitting others to do our thinking for us. This is the meaning of the word "beguile",

which we are considering (Col. 2: 4). It is the translation of paralogizomai, "to reason

aside", and occurs again in  Jas. 1: 22.  The context of the latter passage with its

distinction between darkness and light is worthy of careful study. This "reasoning aside"

is but a repetition of the initial deception in the garden of Eden. Our first parents failed

because they did not stand fast to the actual words of God. "Yea, hath God said?" should

be enough to make us flee. To palter with the Devil over the Word of God is to invite

disaster. To commence a discussion along the lines of the Serpent's first question--

"Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?"--is to be led astray

into the paths of death.

While faith is never unreasonable, there are many things known to faith that are

beyond the powers of our reasoning, simply because they deal with facts and experiences

beyond the present limits of man. It is here that philosophy steps in and attempts to fill

the breach, and it is here also that the child of God must lay hold upon revealed truth and

refuse to move. We are no match for Satan when it comes to philosophy, but we are

more than a match for him while we keep to: "It is written."

We can now perhaps the better appreciate the apostle's words: "But this I say, lest

any man beguile you", especially when we remember that he has already declared that

the very treasury of wisdom and knowledge is Christ Himself. Who would turn aside to

the cisterns of Plato, or of any modern speculator, when the fountain-head of all wisdom

is already theirs?

"Enticing words" (pithanologia).--The false reasoning against which the apostle

warned the saints was accomplished by the use of "enticing words". He himself has told

us how he resolutely set such persuasive methods aside. "And my speech and my

preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom" (I Cor. 2: 4). Rather was it in

the all-prevailing wisdom of the cross, foolish as it appeared in the eyes of the wise of

this world, and impossible as it appeared to the philosopher. As in I Corinthians so in

Colossians, the apostle has but one ground of appeal whether to sinner or saint--Christ,

His death, His burial, His resurrection.

To every reader we should say, Look to the arguments whereby men seek to persuade

you. (The series entitled, "With all thy getting, get understanding", will, we trust, be of

help in this regard). Strip them of their gorgeous dress, re-write them in the language of

cold matter of fact. If you are persuaded, be persuaded by fact and not by feeling.

"To spoil" (sulagogeo).--This word means "to carry off as plunder" and is derived

from sulao, which means, in Homer's Iliad, "to strip the vanquished of their armour".

We have earlier remarked that Satan is not wasting his efforts in attempting to rob us of

our life, for that is safe, being hid with Christ in God. He is, however, using all his

efforts to rob us of our reward (Col. 2: 18), to spoil our service, to ruin our fellowship and

to shackle us with bonds and fears. In these things it is all too true that we may "give

place to the Devil". The reward or crown held out to the believer is associated with a