BEWARE OF ANTI BIBLE PHILOSOPHIES Pt.8
Col2:8 Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.
EPICUREANISM
Epicurus was a student of Aristippus. He built his philosophy on his teacher's philosophy of hedonism. While hedonism is the philosophy that backs the pursuit of pleasure, Epicurus added to it by saying there's no life after death. It is another way of saying, "Enjoy your life and its pleasure to the fullest because there's no other life after death". This philosophy was strong in the time of Paul. He met Epicureans on his second missionary journey in Acts17:18. It was the Epicureans that brought Paul to the Areopagus for questioning. Epicureanism taught that the highest state a person could attain was ataraxia—absolute peace—and aponia—complete absence of mental, emotional, and physical distress or need. The initial goal of Epicurus was to teach people to relax and enjoy life. Also, to let them know that the gods do not interfere in human affairs. Thus, no judgement in this life and after death. How wrong!
Though Epicureanism got somethings right especially teaching against worry which the bible also warns against in Matthew 6:25 and 1Peter 5:7 yet it erred in so many ways. The absolute peace( Ataraxia) Epicurus taught his disciples can only be gotten in CHRIST and in no other: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Epicureanism doesn't believe God is involved in human affairs but the bible teaches differently: "This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men"( Dan4:17). God is interested in the affairs of man because man is very important to God. If God isn't interested in the affairs of man, He wouldn't have promised to direct man's ways. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths".
Epicurus belief about judgement, death and life after death is totally unbiblical. Brethren, there's life after death. The life after death is eternal. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die”(John 11:25b–26a). The writer of Hebrews(9:27) says, "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment"(Hebrews 9:27 KJV). This is a fundamental bible truth that is incontrovertible. Accepting this truth will help us to keep eternity in-view. Don't be entangled with needless, unprofitable and ungodly philosophies that will cause a set back in your walk with God*. At all times, stand with God's word and believe the written word.
Father, I receive the grace to believe your word and abide by it. I shun ungodly philosophies, I refuse to be manipulated by the cunningness of men in Jesus name.