Ye are Complete in him

Beware lest any man spoil you through

philosophy and vain deceit,

after the tradition of men,

after the rudiments of the world,

and not after Christ.

For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

And ye are complete in him,

which is the head of all principality and power:

Colossians 2:8-10

In the Apostle Paul's letter to the Colossians he addresses the false teaching that had fooled some of the Christians there. They were imbibing in the "wisdom of the world" instead of trusting in "the simplicity that is in Christ" (II Corinthians 7:3) and deceivers were attempting to persuade them that Christ was not enough. This same deception is rampant today. God tells us to: "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." (I Thessalonians 5:21) but some of the Colossians were not obeying this command as many Christians today do not.

Beware lest any man spoil you

The word "spoil" here means to rob or steal. God's wisdom that comes from his word is a treasure: "For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it." (Proverbs 8:11). Men can rob us of this treasure and in this passage God explains how they can do so.

through philosophy and vain deceit,

Man's philosophies can sound very plausible and gullible people are often taken in by them. Take the theory of evolution for example. Millions have been fooled by this theory for which there is no scientific evidence. Its widespread acceptance has been largely due to the high-sounding and persuasive arguments put forth by those who are held in academic esteem, and the unwillingness on the part of others to examine the evidence. In recent years, discoveries have caused this theory to fall apart scientifically like the house of cards that it is. God's word was at war with this theory from its inception and those who had placed simple trust in his word were not deceived. The modern Bible translations are another example of error due to man's philosophy and vain deceit. These translations are based on theories that have been proven false and on lies that have been exposed for over a century and yet copies of them continue to sell in the millions and many are blind to the fact that God's words have been changed to promote false teaching and to cast doubt.

after the tradition of men,

The tradition of men is an extremely powerful tool in the hands of the devil and he has spoiled many people by this means. Traditions are established and agreed upon principles and practices. Traditions of God are great but traditions of men that conflict with God's word have caused immeasurable harm throughout the centuries. Jesus rebuked the religious hypocrites of his day for "making the word of God of none effect through your tradition..."

(Mark 7:13)

after the rudiments of the world,

Rudiments are fundamental elements or principles (sinful ones in this case). "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." (I John 2:16). An honest observer can easily see that most of what is called "Christianity" today is full of these rudiments and yet many who claim to be Christians continue to be as blind as a bat backing up in regards to this. God weeps over this.

and not after Christ.

"There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD."

(Proverbs 21:30)

For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

And ye are complete in him,

which is the head of all principality and power:

If you are saved and have been spoiled by the deceit of men or the ways of this world, why not ask God to forgive you and restore the treasures that have been stolen from you? If you have your spiritual eyes open, then warn those who have been deceived and who are willing to listen.

Ye are complete in him.