Colossians – Chapter 2

These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. Colossians 2:23 – Appearances and deceptions. Truly that’s at the heart of Paul’s word within this chapter. Paul wanted this church he cared deeply for to open their eyes to the reality that individuals were coming to lead them astray with teachings that contradicted that of Jesus. These individuals would do their all to proclaim that an assortment of things must be added onto their faith Jesus, such as not eating certain food and keeping a particular set of times holy. And if the church didn’t do such things, these individuals would cast harsh judgment on them hoping this condemnation would push the church to their ways. Notice though Paul’s view in verse 23 on the value of such false teaching: that they’ll have no value in stopping the flesh, these things will offer no help in actually stopping us from sinning against God. While I wish it were not so, what Paul told the church here is a message the church today needs to listen to. There will be individuals who have chosen to path to ruin the church. They will lead the church astray with teachings contrary to Jesus’ and they will cast shame on those who don’t follow their ways. Hearing this, embrace what verse 6 says. You received Christ by God’s power alone, now don’t expect your walk to grow because of your power. We have and grow in Christ because of Christ. Be wise in scripture and pray often so you can be discerning when these false voices arise to lead you astray. Praise the Lord we have His word to come back to when discerning what is true, but if we never turn to it then it offers us no help in knowing what is true. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3421

These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. Colossians 2:17 – Have you ever seen a scary looking shadow? Maybe it was through a window or down a hall. Yet you realize the shadow isn’t anything to worry about because while it may seem to have substance, it really is just something trying to appear scary. Our passage today talks about the law and all the doing and don’t-ing people do to justify themselves with God. Paul wants them to know all their following the law is just a shadow that appears to have substance. While it may look like holiness, it’s just the shadow and has no actual way of helping you reach holiness. God wants us to stop living in the shadow and begin living in Christ. All that we do outside of Jesus to make ourselves good with God is like chasing a shadow. Seems worthwhile, but even if we step on the shadow we still haven’t grasped anything. Stop chasing after the shadow and chase the one who the shadow is of. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 548

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. Colossians 2:8 – While this verse uses terms like “philosophy” and “empty deceit” and that may make us confused at what exactly Paul is getting at here, the message is simple. You know the truths of Scripture, stick with that and don’t let the words of the world cloud those truths. For we will have very smart, very head-knowledge people who begin from a worldly standpoint speak into our lives and condemn our faith in Jesus. We will have culture lying to us about the pleasures and freedom that come with sinful behavior. We’ll even have our spiritual enemy working his words and ways into our story seeking to stray us away from the truth of Jesus. So then as Paul begins this verse, “see to it that no one takes you captive.” See to it that no one finds themselves as a bigger voice in your story than Jesus. See to it that no truth of this world trumps the truth of scripture. See to it that the enemy doesn’t find victory over your mind and the ways you choose to live. Is this sort of “choosing” going to be a one-and-done sort of thing, where you just have to make that choice one time to listen to only Jesus and you’ll be golden for the rest of your days? I wish that were so, but choosing to listen and follow the words of our Savior is going to be a daily, even multiple times daily, sort of thing. For if our enemy is speaking lies into our story multiple times a day, then we’ll have to choose Jesus’ truths multiple times a day too. Thankfully we have God’s word to stand on every time a deception comes our way and we can have confidence staying true to His word is best for our lives. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2407