4 warnings against Religion

 Read Colossians 2.

"...Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (vv.3b-4)

So, without Jesus what can a person do concerning wisdom and knowledge?  They are limited at best and left to their own imaginations.  Everyone depends all day every day upon facts and natural laws.  However, there can be no understanding as to how and why those things exist without Christ.  And, the devil is eager to pounce upon such opportunities to feed rebellious minds with man-made theories and systems of spiritual thought to believe absolutely anything but God's word. 

The Gnostics attempted to gain a foothold into the church at Colossae.  They did not dismiss faith in Jesus altogether.  They mixed a mere human Jesus with intellectualism and some of the Old Testament Law to come up with a worthless religion.  The Apostle Paul took on these false teachers point by point so that no one needed to be confused or bothered by any contrary doctrine.

For the second time in two chapters, it is stated that Jesus is God in the flesh (1:19, 2:9).  With that we are given four warnings concerning false teaching.
1. Let no one delude you. (v.4)
The human approach to life is based upon "plausible" and persuasive arguments.  They sound reasonable on the surface, at least.  Those who present them are well-educated and leaders in their field of research and study.   But a theory is not a fact.  When analyzed thoroughly much more faith is required to believe their views than simple faith in Jesus.

2. Let no one distract you. (v.8)
So-called truth-seekers without Jesus will endeavor to piece together their own way of understanding life and spiritual things.  Paul warned against being taken captive by "philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."  Christians may stand firm with full confidence in light of such challenges.  "We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:5)

3. Let no one decide for you. (v.16)
The false teachers sought to judge the followers of Jesus by carrying over some of the Old Testament rituals and outward observances.  But, those things were temporary and only foreshadowed the reality of Christ.  Since Jesus came, we are no longer under that Law with its offerings of blood sacrifices, legalistic judgments of spirituality, and observances such as not working on Saturday.  Our focus, as believers, is to live each day filled with the Holy Spirit, pleasing the Lord who saved us.

4. Let no one disqualify you. (v.18)
Spiritism is alive and well.  If Satan cannot delude and distract people with intellectual thought or religious practice, then he will employ some element of an immaterial, spiritual system to enslave them and keep them in their sin.  Each generation has had a self-proclaimed prophet or guru that captivated followers.  They have claimed to have seen an angel and received a special message.  They have claimed a level of enlightenment that others do not have.  They claim a unique method of self-improvement of one kind or another.  The list of charlatans is endless.    "These indeed have an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value..." (v.23).  Jesus said regarding the devil, "there is no truth in him...he is a liar and the father of lies." (John 8:43-44)