6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. 18 Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.
Reflection
- Chapter in a Glance: Understanding life in Christ, and we won’t be taken in by substitutes for true spirituality.
- In v8, Paul criticized the Colossian false teaching that is not based on God’s revelation in Christ but the “misleading philosophy and empty deception based on traditions fabricated by mere mortals. These are sourced in the elementary principles originating in this world and not in the Anointed One (so don’t let their talks capture you)”. (The Voice)
- In this passage, it was clear that the “elemental spirits of this world” refer to the rituals and rules of the Old Testament (vv16-17). The legalistic false teachers were probably advocating obedience to the Law of Moses for justification and sanctification.
- Silently reread verses 9-15, inserting your name every time Paul says you or us. How do these facts affect your view of yourself?
- Consider the fact that we are made complete in Christ. Let your prayer and praise to arise out of that fact.
Prayer & Journaling:
Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.
If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.
Family Time (Begin this time by reading the passage above using a children’s Bible. If your children are younger, you may read vv6-8 only.)
Use the following as a guide for a Pray for Your Children time with the whole family.
Praying for our children and grandchildren:
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord . . . Salvation is the greatest gift of God. Thank him for the salvation he has provided for your children. You will spend eternity with them. Let him know your deep gratitude. For children who have not yet trusted in Jesus, ask him to interrupt their lives and help them to see their spiritual helplessness and hopelessness apart from you.
. . . so walk in him, rooted and built up in him. . . Pray that God keeps your children developing as followers of Jesus. Pray that they always follow hard after him. Ask God to keep their lives rooted and established in order to withstand the inevitable challenges.
. . . and established in the faith, just as you were taught. . . Ask God to remind your children of all the things you taught them and are teaching them – the stories from the Bible, Scriptural truths, spiritual lessons, demonstrations of moving forward in trust. Ask God to remind them often of the things he has allowed you and is allowing you to teach them.
. . . abounding in thanksgiving. It’s easy for believers to continually make requests without slowing down to give thanks. Pray that God helps you instill in your children hearts of true gratitude and appreciation. Ask him to help you be an example of a person who overflows with thankfulness.
See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit. . . The information age provides many opportunities for error to be purported as truth. Pray that God will help you build into the hearts and minds of your children a “truth grid” that will not let error enter. Pray for grown children that they will not be deceived. (Adapted from: ronmoore.org/praying-for-our-children-and-grandchildren-colossians-26-8/)
Proverbs for Today 22:22-25
22 Do not rob the poor, because he is poor,
or crush the afflicted at the gate,
23 for the Lord will plead their cause
and rob of life those who rob them.
24 Make no friendship with a man given to anger,
nor go with a wrathful man,
25 lest you learn his ways
and entangle yourself in a snare.