Twisted Belief #1: Legalism “Do not let anyone judge you…” (Colossians 2: 16-17) Colossian legalism would allow for saving faith in Jesus…but that one must add to their faith by observing the Law; particularly certain customs & rituals.

& Commission; and minimized Jesus’ grace. Maintaining these “checklists” of feasts, special Sabbaths, and clean/unclean food drained the Colossians’ time and energy from fulfilling The Great Commandment & Commission; and minimized Jesus’ grace.

Galatians 3: 23-26 23 “Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the Law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. 24 So the Law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. 26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith”

Twisted Belief #2: Mysticism “Do not let anyone disqualify you…” (Colossians 2: 18-19) The Colossians worshiped angels especially Michael, as the Protector of the city. A local legend was that he appeared there once and saved them from a flood.

Like many other Gentile cultures, the Colossians wanted to somehow blend their values with Christianity… not feeling worthy to pray in Jesus’ name to God; so they chose to pray to the angels instead. However, this belief denies Jesus Christ’s role as our one true Mediator with God.

The other sinister side to Mysticism is trying to live a Christian life based only on our own opinions, feelings, and understanding of God. This completely discounts the value of Scripture, the Church, and accountability.

Paul warns the Colossians (and us) that those who try to get by on this type of spirituality will not truly grow in Christ… but will drift away, disconnected from all the ways that He has promised to bring life.

Twisted Belief #3: Asceticism “Do not let yourself be enslaved…” (Colossians 2: 20-23) Linked a bit with Legalism, this lifestyle encourages extreme self-denial and physical discipline in the hopes of becoming more holy in the process.

Romans 14:14 “I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself.”

the Word of God and prayer.” 1 Timothy 4: 3-5 3 “[False teachers] forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. 4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the Word of God and prayer.”

Then Jesus said to them all: “Whoever wants to be Luke 9: 23-24 Then Jesus said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.”

All 3 of these twisted beliefs are “shadows,” distortions of truth. ------------------------------ Colossians 2:17 “These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.”

“Hazard Lights” 1.) Legalism often can begin with using Scripture as a “weapon” to prove points. 2.) Mysticism thrives in our feeling-based culture. Hold it all up to Scripture. 3.) Asceticism can get wrapped up in diet and exercise, impacting a Christian’s faith.