Marsha's Musings: The Appearance of Wisdom

Col 2:16-23 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.


Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.


Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"?


These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings.
Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.


It seems these verses pretty well speak for themselves.  So many religions out there today that match this description.  Yes, they have the appearance of wisdom, worship, humility and they even deny themselves physically by fasting at certain times, avoiding certain foods and drinks, even certain forms of recreation or entertainment.  They may even wear certain types of clothing or garments.  But the last verse here says these things "lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence."


We have seen this played out in the news as various churches have had leaders found guilty of sexual misconduct, and other sins.  It is so important that we go back to the beginning of this chapter of Colossians and follow and obey the instructions there:

Col 2:6-10 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.