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Colossians 2:16-19
Jesus declared in Matthew 15:10 (NKJV), “Hear and understand: Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.” Jesus further explains this in Matthew 15:19, “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.” The Church at Colosse had been infiltrated with false witnesses proclaiming things not taught by Jesus in His earthly ministry. The Apostle Paul is giving fair warning to the Colossians to not allow the things of the flesh/sinful nature of this world to rule in the lives of those who follow Jesus, as He is the Head of the body, which is the Church, and it is grown through God’s will, not our own.
This is a command to not fall to the earthly nature and false teachings of this world.
This is a command to stand strong in Christ, who is the head of the Church.
There were false teachings of proper Christian conduct in Colosse during the ministry of Paul as he is warning the Colossians to not be caught up in it. Christ has fulfilled the Law, and the guidelines to what we may eat or drink is now irrelevant as we should be eating and drinking the spiritual food and drink of Christ.
The secular world will always try to present us with things that may seem proper in their eyes but are not in the will of God for us as Christians. We must always be aware as the Apostle Peter declared in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” You may ask, okay, but how do we prepare ourselves for such a time? The Apostle Paul teaches us in Ephesians 6:10–13, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
It is also important that we understand as Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” We should pursue instead the things of Christ Jesus. In 1 Timothy 6:11–12 we are taught, “But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” We are given the promise in James 4:7–8, “therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”
Dear Lord,
I thank you Lord for working in our lives by showing us our shortcomings so that we may acknowledge them and make the corrections so that our lives will be a reflection of Christ to the secular community. We know that this is a lifelong process and that we need Your help to make us the people that You would have us to be. Help us Lord to not be judgmental of others and fill us with the love of Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. In Jesus name I pray, amen.