The Way to the Egress
"And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words." — Colossians 2:4
You know, P.T. Barnum was quite the character. Back in 1842, he opened his American Museum in New York City, and folks just couldn't get enough of it. The place was so packed that new customers couldn't get in because nobody wanted to leave. So old Barnum, clever as he was, put up a big fancy sign that said, "This way to the Egress!" People rushed through that door, thinking they were about to see some exotic creature, maybe something like a cross between an eagle and an egret. But you know what? "Egress" is just a fancy word for "exit," and those poor folks found themselves standing in the back alley, looking foolish.
Now, before we get too judgmental about those museum goers, let me tell you, we all get fooled by fancy words sometimes. The Apostle Paul knew this was coming. That's why he warned the church at Colossae about being beguiled, or deceived, by enticing words.
So many people get taken in by one of these prosperity preachers. They'd send their last hundred dollars to this television ministry because the man promises them a "hundredfold return." The preacher uses all the right Bible verses, quotes them out of context, wraps them up in smooth talk, and these dear people think they'd found the way to financial breakthrough. Instead, like those museum visitors, they find themselves out in the cold.
The truth is, false teaching often comes dressed up in religious language. It sounds spiritual, it feels exciting, and it promises what our hearts desperately want to hear. But Paul says we need to be on guard against these enticing words that lead us away from the simple truth of the Gospel.
So how do we protect ourselves? Well, the same way you'd avoid Barnum's trick. You learn what "egress" means. You get familiar with the real thing so you can spot the counterfeit. That means staying grounded in God's Word, not just the parts that make us feel good, but the whole counsel of God.
When someone comes along with enticing words, promising easy answers to life's hard questions, remember old P.T. Barnum and his egress sign. Ask yourself: is this leading me closer to Jesus, or is it just leading me out the back door with an empty pocket and a red face?
The Gospel doesn't need to be dressed up in fancy words. Jesus died for our sins, rose again, and offers us eternal life through faith in Him. That's not complicated, but it's powerful. And it's free, no twenty-five cents required.
Let's pray: Father, give us discernment to recognize truth from error. Help us not to be swayed by smooth talk or fancy presentations, but to stay anchored in Your Word. Keep us from following signs that lead nowhere, and guide us always toward Jesus. In His name, Amen.
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