Colossians 2:16-23

8See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy,
which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather
than on Christ.
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.
18 Do 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. 19 They 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. 20 Since
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!”? 22 These rules, which have to do with things that
are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and
teachings. 23 Such 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.

Meditation:
1. In v8, Paul criticized the Colossian false teaching that is not based on God’s
revelation in Christ but the “hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends
on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world”.
2. In this passage, it was clear that the “elemental spiritual forces of this world”
refer to the rituals and rules of the Old Testament (vv16-17,20). The legalistic
false teachers were probably advocating obedience to the Law of Moses for
justification and sanctification.
3. From these basic mistakes, many wrong manifestations developed:
self-imposed worship of angels, (vv18, 23); strict adhering to rules and self-
denial (vv20-23); indulging in mystic experience it (v18); not focusing on
Christ the head, but rule and rituals of the Old Testament (vv16,19)
4. Am I aware of any false teachings of Christ’s salvation in my own faith belief
or my church or other churches? List them down and bring for a discussion
at the cell. Bring it to the pastors if still not clear.

Personal Note:
People tend to impose legalistic rules and regulations for the sake of personal benefits and protection.  There is a place for policies and regulations out of love to protect people that God treasures (ie) policies in the children ministry to protect children from being led by child predators.  There are many false teachings that I believe is stumbling people everywhere.  Examples are the prosperity Gospel, faith healing ministries where the leader had no accountability and making lots and lots of worldly treasure, Doomsday prophecy (as the time the Jesus Christ comes, no one will know, and only the father will know), etc

How can we tell whether the teaching is true or false?  If the teaching glorifies God and serves the people and not the leader, the teaching is highly likely to be true.  If the teaching leads people to question God and serves the leader and not the people, the teaching is highly likely to be false.