Taken Captive by Human Tradition, Philosophy and Intellectualism!

Reflection: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were about to be tested with their allegiance to God. The word comes back to King Nebuchadnezzar that these three young men pay no attention to the King, they do not serve his gods or worship the golden image which he had set up. When asked, once more, look at how Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego respond "O Nebuchadnezzar", you notice that they don't call him their king? Then they tell him why they don't have to answer him on this point. They basically say No way we will NOT serve your gods, we will not worship your gods, because this is not our God! Regardless of what you decided to do to us our God will be with us no matter what.

How can someone be taken captive? The bible tells us that we can be carried off as spoil by following human tradition, philosophy and intellectualism. How? By disregarding the teachings of Christ! When we allow other gods such as human tradition, philosophy and intellectualism to take us captive we are carried off like a prize that the enemy can gloat over! Do what God says to do and God will reward you for your obedience in due time.

Daniel 3:12-18 There are certain Jews whom you have appointed and set over the affairs of the province of Babylon--Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up. 13Then Nebuchadnezzar in rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; and these men were brought before the king. 14[Then] Nebuchadnezzar said to them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image which I have set up?

15Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, dulcimer or bagpipe, and every kind of music to fall down and worship the image which I have made, very good. But if you do not worship, you shall be cast at once into the midst of a burning fiery furnace, and who is that god who can deliver you out of my hands? 16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, it is not necessary for us to answer you on this point. 17If our God Whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up.

Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one carries you off as spoil or makes you yourselves captive by his so-called philosophy and intellectualism and vain deceit (idle fancies and plain nonsense), following human tradition (men's ideas of the material rather than the spiritual world), just crude notions following the rudimentary and elemental teachings of the universe and disregarding [the teachings of] Christ (the Messiah).