“that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ”
The first line of defense against assault upon the truth of Christianity is that we encourage our hearts by the Word of God.
that their hearts may be encouraged
The word “encouraged” may mean “confirmed” here. The Colossian believers were in danger of a spiritual paradigm shift. They were tempted to shift into an eclectic system of religion (incipient Gnosticism). This issue caused them to enter a phase of instability. They were no longer sure of what they believed.
Spiritual instability makes us susceptible to false doctrine. No one can recover from a spiritual problem while dominated by emotions. Enthusiasm will not protect us against doctrinal distortion. All it will do is make us like a yo-yo going up and down with every theological trend that comes along.
Principle:
The Word of God gives spiritual stability to the soul.
Application:
Are you sufficiently knowledgeable of the Word of God to recognize and cope with false teaching? If not, spiritual instability will make you susceptible to attack upon your faith.
Do you take your problems out on those closest to you? Are you unkind to everyone? If you are, you are a spiritual casualty in God’s war against Satan. During this past week, did you discharge your problems to other people? Have you become a dissatisfied member of the human race? Have you become obsessed with your problems? Did you become hysterical? If we blame everyone else for our problems, we will remain in instability.
No matter what situation we may face in life, God can meet us in it if we allow him. God has not constructed the Christian life to operate like a yo-yo. He has designed stability into the Christian life by building an edification construct through the Word of God. That does not mean that we are free from difficulties and disappointments. No doubt, every one of us will face painful situations. God designs adversity in our lives to prove us and make us stronger.
If we try to tell everyone about our lives’ tragic plight, it will result in a maudlin mess. How would you like it if everyone you meet in the church tells you about the dreadful things that happened to them each week? There would be no end to the mush: “You poor dear. Oh, I am so sorry.” This attitude is not what God designs for his children. God purposes that a believer stands on truth first and foremost. That does not mean God precludes compassion by either himself or other people. Compassion is a secondary value to the truth in God’s program.
