Appearance of Wisdom is Not Wisdom

Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

Colossians 2:23

Chapter two of Colossians is loaded with a concern that the church is being deceived. Paul tells the church to be very careful about deception creeping into the church. The unique thing he notes is that deception sounds right and seems sensible. However he warns them and us that, appearance of wisdom is not wisdom!

I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.

Colossians 2:4

The deception is fine-sounding. Seems logical. It makes a lot of sense, but it is still a deception. The stories and explanation seem to add up but in reality they don’t. The appearance of wisdom is not wisdom!

It may sound sensible to doubt the existence of God because of the seemingly rampant and unrestrained evil on earth. Until a close look shows that evil has been restrained by God. If there was no restraint, one pandemic, one world war would have destroyed humanity completely. The appearance of wisdom is not wisdom!

It may make sense to defy God’s commands for a moment, but it is never wise. King Saul thought it was sensible to offer sacrifices he wasn’t supposed to offer, because Samuel who was to offer had delayed. That sensible thought was wrong. King Saul was told to destroy Amalekites and everything they owned, but he thought it was sensible to leave some livestock for sacrifice and their king for a prisoner to parade as a trophy of war. God was angry with king Saul and He rejected him as king. King Saul made sensible decisions that appeared wise. The appearance of wisdom is not wisdom!

If it defies the express word of God, even if it sounds wise and sensible it is wrong. If God commands forgiveness, any wisdom that opposes forgiveness however sensible it is, is wrong. If God commands a return of tithe and offering, any wisdom based on harsh economic times that defies God, however sensible and wise sounding is wrong. Appearance of wisdom is not wisdom!

If God commands sexual purity, any wisdom that defies God by allowing sexual involvement outside marriage, however sensible and wise sounding is wrong. If God commands Sabbath keeping, any wisdom that cleverly explains why that should not be the case is wrong, even if it sounds sensible and seems wise. Appearance of wisdom is not wisdom! The

Any teachings that to any degree defy God’s word are wrong. Defying God’s word to a large or small extent makes the entire sensible and wise sounding teaching and practice to be a deception. The standard of spiritual right is the Bible God’s word. In spiritual matters logic is important but not enough. Consistency with the Bible is most critical. Appearance of wisdom is not wisdom!

God helps those who help themselves, sounds wise, but it is not biblical. God helps the helpless who seek Him. We can play our part but we can’t help ourselves. It is therefore correct to say God helps those who trust Him and play their part. Appearance of wisdom is not wisdom!

Prayer as the only solution seems right, but It is not in all circumstances. We must pray but go to school and to work. We pray and work hard. To pray for a miracle but you don’t play your part is wrong. Praying for protection from disease but ignoring relevant measures may sound like strong faith and a wise Christian move, but it is not. Appearance of wisdom is not wisdom!

May God save us from deception that sounds like faith, truth and courage. May God grant us wisdom that is true. May we find courage to be consistent with scripture, in Jesus name, Amen!