THE DANGER OF PHILOSOPHY

The Danger of Philosophy

Text: Colossians 2:8
Theme: The Reason Philosophy Is a Danger to Christianity

Introduction

Philosophy means “the love of wisdom.”
In itself, philosophy is not necessarily evil — it is the pursuit of understanding.
But the Apostle Paul warns believers in Colossians 2:8:

“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.”

The danger is not in wisdom itself but in where that wisdom comes from.
Greek philosophy — the dominant system of Paul’s day — sought wisdom apart from God (1 Corinthians 1:22; Acts 17:21).
Today, worldly philosophy continues to lead many away from divine revelation, replacing Scripture with speculation.

I. The Origin of Worldly Philosophy

A. It Begins with Man’s Mind Rather Than God’s Word

  • Greek philosophy is rooted in man’s reason and intellect.

  • 1 Corinthians 2:6 – “The wisdom of this world” is bound to perish.

  • Proverbs 14:12 – “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

B. It Is Driven by the Desire to Explain God Without God

  • Acts 17:21 – The Athenians “spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.”

  • Man wants knowledge apart from submission to God.

  • Romans 1:22 – “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.”

II. The Object of Worldly Philosophy

A. It Seeks to Understand Truth Without the Spirit

  • 1 Corinthians 2:14 – “The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God.”

  • Worldly philosophy trusts human intellect instead of divine illumination.

  • Colossians 2:3 – In Christ “are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

B. It Substitutes Culture for Christ

  • Worldly philosophy bases truth on experience, society, and culture.

  • It changes with generations, while God’s Word stands forever (Isaiah 40:8).

  • 1 John 2:15–17 – Christians are commanded not to love the world or its ways.

III. The Outcome of Worldly Philosophy

A. It Leads to Vain Deceit

  • “Vain deceit” means empty, misleading promises.

  • It promises enlightenment but produces confusion and corruption.

  • 2 Timothy 3:7 – “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

B. It Results in False Doctrine

  • When human reasoning replaces divine revelation, error takes root.

  • 1 Corinthians 2:5 – “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”

  • The end result is a Christianity emptied of Christ — form without faith, knowledge without knowledge of the truth.

IV. The Overcoming of Worldly Philosophy

A. Stay Rooted in the Word of God

  • Colossians 2:6–7 – “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him.”

  • The antidote to false philosophy is firm grounding in Christ and Scripture.

B. Seek the Wisdom That Comes from Above

  • James 3:17 – “The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable...”

  • True wisdom humbles, purifies, and glorifies God — not man.

Conclusion

Philosophy, when divorced from God, becomes deception.
It leads men to trust their reason instead of revelation, their intellect instead of inspiration.
But in Christ “are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3).
To avoid being spoiled by philosophy and vain deceit — we must remain rooted in the Word, walking in the Spirit, and grounded in the Truth who is Jesus Christ Himself (John 14:6).

Jeffrey smith