Let no one deceive you with empty words,
Summary: Words are a tool, and like tools, words can be used correctly or misused. Paul wants us to be alert to people who misuse words in an effort to deceive us. Especially God’s Word!
What are “empty words?” Are they the opposite of “full words?” That may sound like a silly question, but it is not without merit.
“Full words” are words that are full of meaning. More to the point, they are full of truth. “Empty words” might have meaning, but they are deceptive and contain little or no truth.
I know a man who has been deceived by empty words about Jesus. He reads books by a well-meaning psychic who listens to voices from the “spirit world.” These voices tell her stories about Jesus that contradict what is written in the Bible. These stories are empty of truth.
To try and find common ground with this man, I read one of his books. At least I read as much as I could stomach. The logical inconsistencies were mind-bending, and the way the author twisted words was unsettling.
Pointing out the obvious contradictions did no good. Showing the man the places where the book contradicted Scripture did not move him either. He has been deceived with empty words. He is caught up in the web of sickly sweet fantasies spun by a woman who listens to “spirits.” (I think I know what kind of “spirits” they are, and they certainly aren’t the good kind!)
So how do we tell the “full words” from the “empty?” The answer is that we fill our minds with “full words” from the Bible. As we read the Scriptures over and over again, we become familiar with the way God thinks. The Holy Spirit highlights different parts of the Bible and shows us what is important and pertinent for our life or situations.
It’s like living on a farm and eating fresh eggs for breakfast every day. You get to know what eggs taste like. If someone tries to pass off reconstituted dehydrated eggs for breakfast, you won’t have to guess. You will know that they are not fresh.
The same is true for the Bible. If we eat God’s Word every day, we will know when someone tries to pass off “empty words” on us.
Application: Read the Bible every day.
Food for Thought: What kind of person deceives another with “empty words?”
What kind of person deceives another with “empty words?”
An insecure person seeking validation. One who wants to be the source of a “greater understanding” or a “greater truth.” They recognize a need and try to fill it themselves, and want glory for themselves in “providing it.” At my job, everything is always about the source document, referenced to the source document, measured against the source document. The source document needs a reference to authority, specific language to the application, and a signature by an authorized official. It doesn’t matter what anyone put on a website or email, or what someone told you at the water cooler. As you said in today’s devotion, we should always measure what we are being told against what is written in the Bible. The Bible is our “source document.” Referenced to God’s authority as Creator and His self-sacrificial love for us, applicable by our sin, and signed in blood through Christ’s sacrifice.
The truth of the Bible gives glory to Christ, and through Christ, glory to the Father. Our understanding of God’s truth comes though the Holy Spirit. It never changes. The only thing that changes is our understanding of how it applies to our lives. God’s truth brings life, empty words eventually lead to death.
John 4:24 ESV “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
John 16:13 ESV When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
Chris,
Thank you for the discussion of “source documents.” That is a great point! The Bible is our only real source document for our Christian faith. There are other re-sources, but none signed by the Author of Life.
I suppose there are many motivations for deceiving people with empty words. Maybe the person is deceived themself and are spreading the emptiness. Maybe they saw it as a way to make money by feeding on peoples selfish desires or fears. One thing for certain, what they are sharing is not of the Lord. They have been taken captive and want others to join them. Our protection is seen in the spiritual armor of Ephesians 6: 10 – 18 and in taking every thought captive to Christ (2 Corinthians 10: 5; Colossians 2: 8). We also have the privilege of sharing God’s truth to help free people and let them see that they can be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5: 14 – 21).
Rich,
The 2 Corinthians 10: 5 verse really hits home. “[W]e take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ,” is really where the battle is. If we can focus our prayers and energy there, everything else falls into place.
08-10-2023, What kind of person deceives another with “empty words?”
We are eternal spiritual beings, who according to the will of God are confined in these temporary physical, bodies. We exist on earth being given a choice to become slaves to a lie ( empty words ) or followers of Christ living in the freedom received in the truth.
Our Bibles clearly explain how our God has made certain His truths are known to all mankind.
THE TRUTH
Romans 1:19-20, For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron. Though all the peoples walk. Each in the name of his god, As for us, we will walk, In the name of the Lord our God forever and ever.
John 16:8-15, 1 Timothy 4:1-2, Micah 4:5, Romans 2:14-16
EMPTY WORDS
2 John 1:7-11, I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. ANY SUCH PERON IS THE DECEIVER AND THE ANTICHRIST. Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work. Matthew 7:15, 2 Timothy 3:5, Revelation 12:9
Thank you, Ron.
You called it what it is. “Empty words,” is just another name for a lie. I completely agree.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. These are all relevant issues in my life. Thankful to hear Kingdom wisdom on this issue.
Brent,
Thanks for checking in! Great to hear from you!
🙂