Spiritual problems are solved by Spiritual means.
The Spirit of God through the Word of God, not by humanism, even the best of it is still human!
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.”-{Col 2;8}.
The Colossians were saved as is seen in verse 10 where Paul wrote they were “Complete In Christ.” The word “Complete” speaks of ‘No Deficiency.’ The liars and false teaching that was brought to them said that the LORD Jesus, His sacrifice was deficient that it needed among several things , humanism and vain philosophies to enlighten them and add to the work of Christ as they taught Jesus and His sacrifice was not enough, deficient! Paul counters with the truth, the eternal reality, that they lack nothing. There is “No Deficiency ” in their salvation.{Read 2:11-13}; “No Deficiency,” in their Forgiveness – {2;13-14}; BECAUSE there is “No Deficiency” in their Savior!-{2:15}. They were “Complete!” YOU…Are… COMPLETE …”In Christ.” Spiritually, You lack nothing. Your STANDING with GOD is eternally secure. You need to grow in your UNDERSTANDING, of who He is, who you are and what you have, “In Christ.”-{Read 1 Peter 1:5; Rom 5:1-2; Eph 1;3-13}.” but GROW in the grace and KNOWLEDGE of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”-{2 Peter 3:18}
BEWARE of the false teaching that says He is ‘deficient’ therefore His Work, His Word, are also, therefore you need to add, supplement Him, His Word to meet spiritual problems, whether that is vain philosophy, psychology or ‘Christian’ psychology’ which interacts humanism and some Scriptures to try sort out Spiritual problems, with answers. His Word alone is sufficient. Jesus said,”man shall not live by bread alone BUT by EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD! -{Matt 4:4}.
Look what His Word does in a life yielded to it as noted in bold…
“The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure,enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.
They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;
In keeping them there is great reward.”-{Psalm 19;7-11}.
His Word is sufficient for our EVERY Spiritual need and needs no ‘props!’ The ‘best’ of humanism is still humanism and devoid of Heavenly WISDOM!
Listen to His Word for you!- “seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.”-{2 Peter 1:3-4}. Not ‘some things,’ or a ‘few things,’ but ‘EVERYTHING pertaining to life and godliness.”
“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”-{2 Timothy 3:16-17}.
God’s Means for change;
1.The Holy Spirit- The Spirit of Truth;
The Holy Spirit Will GUIDE us;
” But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; “- {John 16:13}
The Holy Spirit Will REMIND us;
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. “-{John 14:26}.
The Holy Spirit will INSPIRE and EMPOWER us;
“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. “-{Phil 2;13 NLT}
2.The Word of God, The Word of Truth;
“If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.“-{John 8;31-32}. “Whatever is TRUE…DWELL on Theses Things.”-{Phil 4:8}. The word “DWELL” to consider, evaluate, calculate. Live there, make truth your home for your mind, so as to influence your choices-{Read Phil 4;9}. Center your THINKING on the Truth of God in His Word!
God is True,-{Read John 17:3}; His Word is True,-{Read John 17:17} Jesus is the Truth-{Read John 14:6}. So thinking rightly about God, His character His Word and His Son, are great and glorious themes to occupy our mind with. The Truth is found in His Word, which is TRUTH {Read John 17:17; Psalm 119:151}. So if we want to know what is truth, then we give our attention to the Word of God,which is the Word of Truth, in order to think on truth, to know truth, to be conformed to truth that reveals the life of the LORD Jesus who He is,and who you are “In Christ,” what He has for you, and the reality of things as they are truly in this world and the world to come! “Whatever is TRUE… DWELL {consider, calculate, evaluate} on these things-{Phil 4;8}
Thank God for His generosity, graciousness in providing us with “everything pertaining to life and Godliness…”-{Read 2 Peter 1:3-4}. He has gifted us the Holy Spirit to teach us, empower us, illumine and bring to remembrance His Word to us, so that we might know God better and who we are “In Christ,” and what we have through Him and His revealed will for us.
“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law.-{Deut 29:29}
“Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.” -{Psalm 119;105}
Jesus on the road to Emmaus with the two despondent disciples opened their mind to understand the Scriptures,”And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself. “- {Luke 24:27}. Look to Jesus. Look for Jesus when you read.
“Open my eyes that I might see wonderful things from Your Law.”– {Psalm 119:8}