In the previous two parts of this series we examined a list of items in Colossians 2:8 of things we should be wary of because they can take us captive.

We saw how the dangerous items in that list, aren’t so much physical but mental; they are deceptive thoughts, arguments, and errant beliefs. While there are many of those which are brazenly obvious today, other are more subtle, even creeping their way inside churches, and into the speech, and minds of Christians.

Today, we will dive into this particular area of subtle captivity, as we continue exploring how to not be taken captive.

Holy-Sounding Hogwash

As we dive into the murky waters of subtle spiritual and mental captivity, we’re going to be looking at what I’ve playfully dubbed “Holy-Sounding Hogwash” — religious rubbish — in other words, things that sound right, seem good and true, but in reality, can captivate us.

These things often use religious language and repetition to sneak in, and get us to lower our guard to destructive ideas. And nowhere does this occur more often, than with the fundamental message of the Gospel.

Why so many attacks on the Gospel? Why so much discord and disharmony about the good news of Christ? Because if that foundation isn’t solid, the entire structure collapses. You will never know peace, if you aren’t solidly grounded on the Prince of Peace— Jesus Christ.

1^st Peter 5:8 is a famous verse of scripture which gives us some details as we begin diving into our topic today:

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour”

1^st Peter 5:8

This scriptures is quoted a lot, and often breeds fear in the hearts of Christians, but that’s exactly what the enemy wants! Notice that it doesn’t say that the devil is a roaring lion, but that the devil walks about as a roaring lion… he’s an imitation of an intimidating foe, his entire strategy is one of deception and intimidation. A lion roars to create fear and trepidation, and the devil presents that same image hoping to cause fear in people.

He projects the image of an angry God, a God who is disappointed, eager to lash out, waiting to pounce— just like a roaring lion.

He’s seeking those who he may devour meaning that he can’t just devour anyone he wants, but there must be opportunity and availability. His intention is to devour. That is, to consume entirely— not just nibble, not just chew a tiny bit, but to completely devour.

Verse 9 continues by saying, Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brothers that are in the world. Notice that the way we resist the lies, and holy-sounding hogwash is by remaining steadfast in the faith. Not by focusing on resisting, or trying to fight the lies, but by remaining grounded in the truth— and that’s the first key.

Faith To Resist the Lies

If we are to resist the lies of the enemy in faith… what faith is this scripture referring to? The faith that we are made right with God through Jesus’ blood, that we are the righteousness of God in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

The devil will continually remind you of your mistakes, failures and sins. He will tell you that because of these things, you cannot receive blessings (you didn’t earn them), that you will have to pay for your mistakes or that something bad will happen to you because of what you did. He will accuse you, condemn you and try to persuade you that you deserve pain.

Now there is some holy-sounding hogwash in this line of thinking.It may sound right at first— true, that none of us deserve good; we’ve all done wrong. And if the qualifier was human effort, performance, and strength, then we’d all be doomed.

But this is where the resisting steadfast in the faith comes in. When the devil trie to remind you of your failures, you should meditate all the more on the truth that you are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (not in yourself)

The devil tries to keep you self-focused, but you should remain Jesus-focused.

So as you remain established in righteousness, you can boldly and rightly declare, that you are righteous. And as such, the lies of the enemy, and religious-thinking that tries to keep you wrapped-up in yourself will lose its power. 

In the next part…

Join me in part four as we continue along this theme, to look at specific religious lies which often plague the modern Christian today.

Be blessed.