Paul’s warning to the Colossians couldn’t be clearer: “Be careful not to allow anyone to captivate you through an empty, deceitful philosophy that is according to human traditions and the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” He doesn’t mince words. Why? Because the stakes are eternal. The Colossian church faced a tidal wave of false teaching—mysticism, legalism, and syncretism. These “philosophies” sounded profound but pulled people away from the sufficiency of Christ.

Today, we’re swimming in our own sea of nonsense, and the undertow is strong. Consider the self-help industry, which promises transformation through affirmations and “manifesting your truth” but leaves people empty and more self-absorbed. Or the rise of progressive Christianity, where core doctrines like sin, repentance, and substitutionary atonement are dismissed as relics of a bygone era. When we prioritize being “authentic” over being holy, we’ve bought into a Christ-less philosophy.

Look no further than bestselling authors like Rachel Hollis (Girl, Wash Your Face) or Glennon Doyle (Untamed), who preach a gospel of self-reliance disguised as empowerment. The mantra? “You’re enough.” But are you? Scripture says otherwise. Without Christ, we’re hopelessly lost, no matter how many self-care routines or vision boards we craft.

And let’s not ignore the insidious creep of postmodern thought into the church itself. When Andy Stanley calls for the “unhitching” of the Old Testament, he treads dangerous ground. Paul didn’t call us to abandon the roots of our faith but to anchor ourselves firmly in the fullness of Christ.

Even social justice movements, while supposedly well-intentioned, routinely devolve into performative virtue signalling because they are untethered from Gospel truth. These movements are merely empty philosophies because they address symptoms but ignore the heart issue: sin. The Gospel isn’t about reforming systems—it’s about transforming hearts (Which will lead to systemic reform, we are putting the cart before the horse). Without Christ, activism becomes just another idol.

So, how do we stop believing in nonsense? By measuring every philosophy against the Word of God. If it denies Christ’s sufficiency, diminishes the authority of Scripture, or elevates self above God, reject it outright. Fill your mind with what is true, noble, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). Don’t let the world’s empty promises rob you of the joy and freedom found in Christ alone.

Christ is sufficient. Don’t settle for anything less.