We have all experienced times of illness that have zapped our energy and wellbeing. The strength and energy that we once had, ran out and left us as limp as a wet rag.

We may have similar experiences in our Christian life. We may have a revival, be reading our Bibles, growing spiritually and seeking to witness, only to become slack a month later. For this reason, God warns us in 1 Corinthians 10:12, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

Staying fit physically requires that we eat a healthy diet and exercise adequately. God also wants us to remain spiritually strong, but that will not happen automatically or without daily spiritual exercise. This struggle caused Paul great conflict (v.1).

Transition

As we examine Colossians 2:1-5, we find three things that each of us needs in order to remain spiritually strong.

In order to remain spiritually strong…

First, we need exhortation (v.2-3).

  1. Spiritual strength is a heart matter.
    1. Spiritual strength resides in one’s heart or inner man.
    2. The reason there are so many anaemic Christians is that their hearts are crowded with all but the knowledge of God. Jesus said, (Mark 7:21-22) “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
    3. If you were unwell and went to a naturopath, he may ask you to list off the kinds and amounts of food that you eat to help determine if your diet was contributing to your unwell condition. Spiritually, we must do the same. Look back over the past week or month and make an honest list of your spiritual intake. If your intake of secular things far outweighs your intake of spiritual things, you cannot expect to be spiritually strong.
  2. Our hearts need nourishment.
    1. This morning we looked at this word comfort. It includes comfort, instruction, encouragement, admonition, and exhortation. These are things that nourish the soul. As you study the Bible, it will comfort you. It will instruct you in how to live. It will encourage you when you get down. It will admonish or warn you when you step out of line. It will exhort or challenge you to press on for the Lord. This is why we must daily schedule quality time in the Bible.
    2. Just as a tomato plant needs nourishment to remain strong and healthy, so your heart needs the spiritual nourishment provided by instruction and exhortation.
    3. To get this, we must be knit together (v.2). To be “knit together” is to be united in opinion or to come to the same conclusion. He may be speaking of unity with God, or unity with the Bible, or unity as a church body, or all three.
      1. We need to be united in love for God, Christ, fellow Christians and in love for the Bible. Selfishness harms unity, and will hinder our spiritual strength.
      2. We also need to be united around our knowledge of God and Christ. The Bible contains a rich wealth of information that can lead us to a full assurance of understanding about Christ. It can also lead us to a precise knowledge of the mystery of God.
      3. Cults and other false teachers commonly redefine God and Jesus. We must believe the Bible.
        1. In [Christ] are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (v.3). Christ sums up all that the Bible teaches about wisdom. (Proverbs 2:6) “For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
        2. “Everything we might want to ask about God and his purposes can and must now be answered … with reference to the crucified and risen Jesus, the Messiah.” Tyndale NTC, p.95
      4. The Christian life is all about knowing Christ and living for His glory.
        In order to remain spiritually strong…

Next, we need discretion (v.4).

  1. Deception is a common problem.
    1. Here, Paul says, “lest any man should beguile you.”
    2. Beguile means to cheat by false reckoning or to deceive by false reasoning.
    3. The devil is a master at deception. (2 Corinthians 11:14-15) “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” He masterfully instructs and guides false teachers. Cults and false religions have grown because the devil has given them deceitful, convincing, humanly logical arguments against Biblical truth. Their arguments contain enough truth to deceive those who do not know their Bible well.
    4. We note that Paul said that these deceivers will beguile “with enticing words.” Many of their arguments are powerfully persuading.
  2. Without discretion, we may be deceived.
    1. Accurate biblical instruction and exhortation will give you discretion. The better you know your Bible, the less likely it is that you will be deceived. Cults and false religions are FULL of religious people whom they deceived because they did not know their Bibles well.
    2. It is very dangerous to search websites and YouTube channels looking for spiritual truths if you do not have a solid grip on Bible doctrine.
    3. It is always wise to investigate the author of a site, channel or book BEFORE you soak in what he says. If needed, ask me or a mature Christian for guidance. Cults and false teachers may hide their identity, but if you know common false teachings, you can often “smell a rat” as the old saying goes. Flee dangerous media.
    4. In the first century, many were undermining the person and deity of Christ. This may have been Paul’s concern for the Colossian believers.
      In order to remain spiritually strong…

Third, we need inspection (v.5).

  1. Inspections reveal hidden truth.
    1. An inspection is a careful, close examination. Paul said of the Colossian believers, that though he was physically absent, he was present in his heart.
    2. He was both joying over them and beholding their conduct. He was inspecting closely what he had learned about them. This included both their order and steadfastness of the faith.
      1. Order speaks of arrangement, a right order, or an orderly arrangement.
      2. Steadfastness speaks of that which is firm or solid.
    3. Of these words, the Tyndale NTC states that these are, “probably military metaphors: … Paul is there in spirit, like a general inspecting the troops before a battle.” Tyndale NTC p.96
    4. Regular self-inspection is wise. Evaluate where you are at spiritually. Compare your spiritual life to what it was six months or a year ago. Are you growing spiritually? Are you spiritually healthy? What are your weaknesses?
  2. We ought to ask others how we are doing.
    1. While it might be a bit intimidating, it is good practice to ask your spouse or your parents or a close friend how they think you are doing spiritually.
    2. You could even ask your pastor what he has noticed about your spiritual life.
    3. When you ask others, and you get answers that reveal a need for improvement, humble yourself and ask God for help to improve.

Conclusion

To remain spiritually strong, we need exhortation, discretion, and inspection. If your life has been lacking exhortation from personal Bible study, I challenge you to discipline yourself to take action. Your discretion will lessen, and your inspection will come up short if you lack daily exhortation.

Song: More About Jesus 326

Remaining Spiritually Strong
23 April 2023 PM – Colossians 2:1-5 – Col23 – Scott Childs