Heresy is an intentional demonic attack against Christian theology. The goal of heresy is to take the simple-minded captive through deceit. The impact of heresy will draw Christians away from the truth of the Word of God that keeps them anchored in faith in Jesus. Paul’s call is to be alert to anyone that is seeking to weaken your faith and take you captive through empty and deceptive philosophy.

Spiritual warfare is real, and we are in a battle for the mind and soul. Even believers can be deceived and drawn away from the truth of God’s Word by entertaining worldly philosophy. In Paul’s day, the Greeks were well known for high thinking. Both the Stoics and Epicureans would gather in the marketplaces and discuss philosophy seeking to win the debate. How can we guard ourselves from these deceptions? Test what is being spoken as to source and truth before you accept it. Paul declares that worldly philosophy is human, elementary, and non-Christian and should be rejected. Worldly philosophy is man’s attempt to create or discover truth apart from God. The natural man cannot discern spiritual things and live spiritual lives.

The danger to a Christian’s faith is to become influenced by the world and fall captive to worldly and heretical thinking. We need to guard our minds and avoid vain philosophy that is not “according to Christ.” Remember Acts 17:11 – “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.” Acts 17:11, NASB95