May 17, 2025

JESUS IS ENOUGH

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality. Don’t let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels, saying they have had visions about these things. Their sinful minds have made them proud, and they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body. For he holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it. 

You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, “Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”? Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires.”

Colossians 2:16-23 NLT

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TODAY’S THOUGHT

The believers in Colossae are warned not to fall into three spiritual traps: Legalism, Mysticism, and Asceticism. These same traps exist today—and they all have one thing in common: they take the focus off Jesus.

1. Don’t Be Trapped by Legalism (vv.16–17)

Legalism says: “Do these things to be right with God.”

Paul says: “Don’t let anyone judge you for what you eat, drink, or how you observe certain days.”

These were Old Testament laws—good in their time—but they were just shadows. Jesus is the real thing. We don’t need the shadow anymore—we have the reality: Christ Himself.

Many of us grew up with rules about dress, music, alcohol, dancing, or church attendance—and while some of those may be wise, they don’t make you righteous. Only Jesus does that.

Truth: The law can show us our sin, but only Christ can save us from it.

In Christ, we’re not under the pressure of performance—we’re under grace.

2. Don’t Be Distracted by Mysticism (v.18)

Mysticism says: “Follow these visions, dreams, or secret spiritual experiences.”

Paul warns about people who worship angels or claim special revelations. He says they are proud and disconnected from Christ.

That’s the key: they’re not connected to Jesus.

Any “revelation” or experience that doesn’t lead you to love and follow Jesus more—isn’t from God.

Truth: The Holy Spirit always points us to Jesus—not to ourselves, or to some other spiritual being.

If the spotlight is more on the person than on Christ—it’s not the Spirit of God.

3. Don’t Be Bound by Asceticism (vv.20–23)

Asceticism says: “Punish your body to purify your soul.”

Paul asks a powerful question: “Why do you keep following worldly rules like, ‘Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!’?”

These man-made rules look spiritual, but they’re powerless to change the heart.

Yes, discipline is valuable—but Paul is attacking the belief that denying the body will save the soul.

You can starve the body and still have a prideful, lustful, or angry heart.

Truth: Jesus didn’t just come to restrain our flesh—He came to transform our hearts.

When God changes your nature, He changes your desires. You don’t need the law on the outside when you have life on the inside.

Jesus is enough.

You don’t need religious rules, secret spiritual experiences, or extreme self-denial to be right with God.

In Christ, you are free, forgiven, and full.

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TODAY’S PRAYER

Holy Spirit, help me stay sensitive to You. Keep me from being distracted by legalism, mysticism, or asceticism. Let my heart stay centered on Jesus—my freedom, my truth, and my life. Amen.

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