There’s a subtle kind of captivity that can creep into even the most sincere Christian life — the captivity of religion without relationship.
It doesn’t come through open rebellion or obvious sin; it comes quietly, when the heart shifts from grace to performance, from freedom to form.
Paul knew the danger. The Colossian believers were surrounded by voices telling them that faith in Christ wasn’t enough — that they needed special rituals, strict diets, religious observances, or mystical experiences to prove their spirituality.
But Paul cuts through the noise with one bold reminder:
“The reality is found in Christ.” (v.17)
Everything else — the rules, the rituals, the regulations — were only shadows pointing to Him. And when the Son has come, the shadows have no power.
📖 Colossians 2:16–23 (NIV)
Verses 16–17 – Freedom from Ritual Judgment
16Therefore 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.17These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
Cross References
- Romans 14:17 – “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
- Galatians 4:9–10 – “But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!”
- Hebrews 10:1 – “The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves.”
Why We Struggle
We are drawn to visible religion — things we can measure and control. We often confuse activity with spirituality, forgetting that holiness begins in the heart, not in habits.
Know This
Religious rituals are only the shadow — Christ is the substance. Once the Light has come, the shadow no longer defines you.
Verses 18–19 – The Danger of False Spirituality
18Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind.19They have 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.
Cross References
- 1 Timothy 4:1 – “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”
- Ephesians 4:15–16 – “Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love.”
Why We Struggle
Many chase experiences rather than obedience — seeking visions, titles, or feelings instead of humble faithfulness. Pride often hides behind a mask of “deep spirituality.”
Know This
Any spirituality that draws attention to self or disconnects from Christ the Head is counterfeit. True growth is always relational — it comes from connection, not performance.
Verses 20–22 – Dead to the World’s Rules
20Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules:21“Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”?22These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings.
Cross References
- Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
- Romans 6:14 – “For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.”
- Isaiah 29:13 – “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.”
Why We Struggle
We prefer rules to relationship because rules feel safer. They let us look holy without surrendering control. But control is not the same as obedience — and human systems cannot sanctify the soul.
Know This
Since you died with Christ, you no longer belong to the system of “do’s and don’ts.” Grace doesn’t need your performance — it invites your trust.
Verse 23 – The Appearance of Wisdom Without Power
23Such 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.
Cross References
- 2 Timothy 3:5 – “Having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.”
- Matthew 15:9 – “They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.”
Why We Struggle
We mistake discipline for devotion. Outward self-denial can look spiritual but often masks inward pride. Religion can restrain behavior for a while, but only Christ can transform the heart.
Know This
Self-made religion looks wise but leaves the soul empty. Holiness doesn’t come from harshness — it flows from Christ’s indwelling Spirit.
🧠 HEAD – What to Understand
- Christ has made you spiritually complete — nothing external can add to your standing before God.
- Legalism, asceticism, and self-righteous spirituality all disconnect you from the living Christ.
- Freedom in Christ is not rebellion; it is right relationship.
❤️ HEART – What to Feel
- Gratitude for grace that liberates.
- Peace that comes from knowing you’re already accepted.
- Discernment to recognize religion that looks holy but distracts from Christ.
✋ HAND – What to Do
- Live rooted in Christ, not regulated by others.
- Evaluate every teaching or tradition: Does this deepen my walk with Christ or distract from it?
- Serve and worship from love, not fear.
- Practice daily gratitude for your freedom in Christ.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Christ is the reality; rituals are only shadows.
- True spirituality stays connected to the Head — Christ Himself.
- Rules may control behavior, but only grace transforms character.
- Freedom in Christ means living out obedience born of love, not obligation.