Anchored in Truth: How Creeds Protect Our Faith in a World of Opinions

What is shaping your beliefs right now? Is it scripture or is it culture? We all have strong opinions about many things, but as John Wesley wrote in "The Character of a Methodist," we should be men and women of scripture, not merely of opinions.

We live in a world where anyone with a social media account can become a "life coach." People post scriptures or sermons online and consider themselves theologians after watching a three-minute YouTube video or consulting Google as their go-to pastor. The problem is that we're drowning in opinions while starving for truth.

Without solid beliefs to stand on, we drift slowly and silently until one day we wake up asking, "How did I get here?"

The Church at Colossae: A Warning from History

This is exactly what the Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Colossae about. The believers there were being pulled in every direction by smooth-talking philosophers, religious rule makers, and mystical teachings. Paul's message was clear: anchor yourself in Christ and don't get swept away in spiritual nonsense.

His words from 2,000 years ago remain relevant for the church today. In Colossians, Paul gives us a mini creed a bold declaration reminding us who Jesus is and what He's done.

How Do Creeds Protect Us from Shallow Faith?

"Don't let anyone capture you with philosophies or high-sounding nonsense" (Colossians 2:8).

In Colossae, believers were being influenced by persuasive arguments that mixed Christian faith with worldly philosophy. These teachings sounded good but denied that Jesus was Godsomething Paul called "empty philosophies."

Our culture is full of "life hacks" and promises of fulfillment that leave us empty. Anything that sounds right culturally but contradicts God's Word is high-sounding nonsense.

Common Phrases That Sound Good But Aren't Biblical

"Follow your heart" - Sounds good, but scripture warns us against trusting our hearts. Jeremiah 17:9 says, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?"

"Cleanliness is next to godliness" - This isn't in scripture. It's attributed to John Wesley when he was talking about holiness, not hand sanitizer.

"We are all God's children" - Scripture says we're all created in God's image, but we only become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ.

"God helps those who help themselves" - Nowhere in scripture. In fact, God helps the helpless. Romans 5:8 says, "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Creeds were given to the church to remind us of the essentials of faith. They guard against drifting from true doctrine and offer time-tested truths in a world of constantly shifting ideas.

What Does It Mean That Christ Is Fully God?

"For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body" (Colossians 2:9-10).

False teachers in Paul's time presented Jesus as just one form of God, not truly divine. Paul affirms that Jesus isn't just godlike He is fully God in the flesh.

The Nicene Creed beautifully expresses this: "God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, one being with the Father."

Jesus is 100% man and 100% God simultaneously. Does your life reflect belief in Jesus' authority and sufficiency?

How Has Christ Triumphed Over Sin and Death?

"He canceled the record of charges against us and disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities" (Colossians 2:13-15).

Paul paints a picture of both legal guilt and spiritual warfare. Our list of sins was long, and the charges against us were real. We stood condemned under the Law, sentenced to spiritual death.

But Jesus took that complete list and nailed it to the cross, wiping away our sins completely. Then He did something even greater He disarmed the enemy, stripped them of their power, and marched them in public defeat.

Freedom from Guilt

Many of us carry guilt for past sins, even after confessing and asking for forgiveness. We replay our mistakes over and over, feeling we can never be sorry enough.

But the truth is that what we're carrying, Jesus has already carried to the cross. He didn't just forgive us—He freed us. He didn't just cover our past. He crushed the enemy's hold on it.

Are you holding onto guilt that God has already removed? Are you fighting battles that Jesus has already won?

Why Are Creeds More Than Just Dusty Church Documents?

Creeds don't just teach doctrine, they proclaim freedom. When we recite in the Apostles' Creed, "He was crucified, dead, and buried, and on the third day He rose again," we're not just declaring what happened but what it means for us: we're forgiven, we're free, we are His.

We live in a world that loves new ideas but desperately needs timeless truths. Creeds are anchors that keep us from drifting away. While God's Word is always primary in our lives, creeds help us remember and articulate the essential truths of our faith.

Life Application

This week, take time to examine what's shaping your worldview. Is it God's Word, or are you being influenced by social media, TV, news, or politicians?

Here are some practical steps to anchor yourself in truth:

Read Colossians chapter 2 and reflect on Paul's warnings and encouragements.

Find a copy of the Nicene Creed and spend time meditating on its declarations about who Jesus is.

When you encounter a popular saying or cultural belief, ask yourself: "Is this aligned with scripture or just high-sounding nonsense?"

If you're carrying guilt for something God has already forgiven, practice accepting His complete forgiveness by thanking Him daily for nailing your sins to the cross.

Ask yourself these questions:

What beliefs am I holding that might be shaped more by culture than by scripture?

Am I living as though Jesus has full authority in my life?

What guilt am I still carrying that I need to release to Christ?

What we believe shapes everything about how we live. Let's be people grounded in scripture, using the creeds as guides to remind us what's essential in this ever-changing world.