How can Colossians 2:21 guide us in discerning true spiritual growth? Setting the Scene Colossians 2 exposes teachings that added human rules to the gospel. Paul warns that such regulations look pious but lack true power because they bypass Christ, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). The Heart of the Verse Colossians 2:21: “You must not handle, you must not taste, you must not touch!” These commands, quoted by Paul, represent man-made restrictions that promised spiritual advancement but delivered only outward conformity. What True Growth Is Not • Mere abstaining from neutral things (foods, objects, days) • Impressing others with severe self-denial (v. 23) • Submitting to rules that originate in “human commands and teachings” (v. 22) • Replacing dependence on Christ with dependence on performance Related passages: • Mark 7:18-23 – defilement flows from the heart, not external contact • 1 Timothy 4:3-4 – forbidding foods is a sign of error, for “everything created by God is good” • Galatians 5:1 – Christ sets us free from bondage to law-keeping Positive Signs of Authentic Growth • Deepening love for Christ (John 14:21) • Increasing desire to obey out of gratitude, not fear (1 John 5:3) • Evident fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace… (Galatians 5:22-23) • Growing humility and dependence on grace (James 4:6) • Pursuit of holiness that is inward first, then outward (Romans 12:1-2) • Willingness to build up others rather than judge them by man-made standards (Romans 14:17-19) Practical Discernment Checklist • Does this practice point me to the sufficiency of Christ (Colossians 2:9-10) or to my own effort? • Is my conscience informed by Scripture or by traditions of men? • Will the action cultivate the Spirit’s fruit or merely elevate my reputation? • Am I experiencing greater freedom to love God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39) rather than a heavier burden? Aligning with the Sufficiency of Christ Paul’s antidote to hollow regulations is union with the risen Lord: • Colossians 2:13 – we were made alive with Him • Colossians 3:1-4 – our life is hidden with Christ in God The believer anchored here discerns growth not by external score-keeping but by increasing conformity to Christ’s character. Guarding Freedom without License Titus 2:11-12 balances liberty and holiness: grace “teaches us to deny ungodliness” while freeing us from godless rule-lists. True growth walks this path—rejecting legalism on one side and indulgence on the other—because the Spirit enables joyful obedience from the heart. Conclusion Colossians 2:21 warns that rigid prohibitions can masquerade as spirituality. Genuine maturity flows from abiding in Christ, bearing His fruit, and living out freedom shaped by love and truth. |
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