Colossians 2:8

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

Colossians 2:8

Paul moves on to give a warning to his readers.  The warning is against being taken captive by "philosophy and empty deceit".  However, I'm not quite sure what Paul means by "philosophy and empty deceit".  NLT translates it, "empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense" and AMP translates it, "philosophy and empty deception [pseudo-intellectual babble]".  I'm still not entire sure what Paul is talking about, but he helps us out by giving is a bit more on what these things are.  Whatever he means by "philosophy and empty deceit", they are "according to human tradition" and "according to the elemental spirits of the world".  I think that the NLT and AMP translations are somewhat helpful as well: "that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world", "according to the tradition [and musings] of mere men, following the elementary principles of this world".  Looking into all of these things is helpful, but I think that Paul gives us the most important thing last.  The last thing that Paul tells us about these things is that they are "not according to Christ".  I think that sometimes we can easily get caught up in what Paul is warning us against.  This is actually very clear in the way that Paul describes it at the beginning, "See to it that no one takes you captive".  This is so dangerous that is something that can take you captive.  The worst is probably when people don't realize that they are captive to these things.  I think that the worst things that people are taken captive by are the things that people think are Christian but are really not.  It may seem like something "according to Christ" but it really isn't.  I want to warn you (and myself as well, since I am not immune) to beware of being taken captive by these things.  Perhaps the best way to be on guard of this or to ensure it doesn't happen to you is to "walk in him" as it says in verse 6.  How can you be taken captive by something that is not according to Christ if you are walking in him?  Let us walk in him and be rooted and built up in him.