How does this verse connect with Jesus' teachings on inner purity? Setting the Scene Colossians 2 addresses believers who were being pressured to adopt extra-biblical rules. Verse 21 sums up those man-made commands: “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!”. Paul challenges the idea that holiness is achieved by outward restrictions alone. Jesus on True Purity • Matthew 15:17-20; Mark 7:18-23 – Jesus insists that “what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a man.” • Matthew 23:25-26 – He rebukes leaders who “clean the outside of the cup” while the inside remains filthy. • Matthew 5:8 – “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” • Matthew 5:27-28 – Lust is condemned even when no physical act occurs. Where the Two Messages Meet • Both Jesus and Paul expose the insufficiency of external rule-keeping. • Paul’s “do not handle…taste…touch” echoes Jesus’ critique of traditions that misdiagnose sin’s source. • Inner corruption—not food, drink, or objects—needs redemption. • Christ’s finished work (Colossians 2:13-15) cleanses the heart; outward discipline becomes meaningful only when it flows from that inner renewal. Practical Takeaways • Measure purity by heart attitudes first, not by a checklist of prohibitions. • Spiritual disciplines (fasting, abstinence, etc.) are valuable when used to seek Christ, not to showcase self-righteousness. • Guard thoughts and motives; they are the wellspring of words and actions. • Let Scripture shape conscience more than cultural or religious add-ons. Supporting Scriptures to Explore Further • Romans 14:17 – “The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” • 1 Timothy 4:4-5 – Foods are “sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” • Psalm 24:3-4 – Ascending God’s hill requires “clean hands and a pure heart.” |
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