Reject Religious Legalism
Colossians 2:16–23 (NIV)
Introduction:
We all love a checklist.
There’s something deeply satisfying about checking a box.
- Brushed your teeth? ✔️
- Took your vitamins? ✔️
- Read your Bible? ✔️
- Helped someone today? ✔️
It feels like progress—even if our hearts are distant from God.
That’s why legalism is so dangerous. It’s not that the rules are always bad—many are based on good intentions. But the danger comes when we reduce the Christian life to a list of do’s and don’ts, and begin to measure our spiritual maturity by external performance instead of internal transformation.
Legalism is subtle. It doesn’t usually begin with pride—it begins with a desire to please God. But somewhere along the way, it shifts from “I want to honor God” to “I want to control my standing with God.” From grace to grind.
And before we know it, we’re basing our identity on what we abstain from, who we impress, or what religious boxes we check—rather than what Jesus has already done.
This is exactly what was happening in Colossae. False teachers were creeping into the church, insisting that Christ alone wasn’t enough. They added rules, rituals, dietary restrictions, calendar observances, and mystical experiences. And Paul writes this section to say, “Don’t let anyone disqualify you. Jesus is enough. And if you’re in Him, you are free.”
Let’s open the Word together and hear this liberating truth.
Colossians 2:16–23 (NIV)
16 Therefore 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. 17 These 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.
Paul opens this section with a bold declaration of spiritual freedom. But it’s not freedom to sin—it’s freedom from the burden of religion without Christ. Let’s start where Paul does: with our identity in Him.
1. Refuse to Be Judged by Religious Performance (vv. 16–17)
“Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival…”
The word “therefore” connects us to what Paul has just said—Christ is our fullness, our victory, and our freedom. So because of what Christ has done, don’t let anyone judge you by human standards of religion.
These legalists were saying:
- “You’re not spiritual if you eat that.”
- “You’re disqualified if you don’t observe that Sabbath or festival.”
- “You must add these Jewish laws to your Christian faith.”
But Paul declares: those things were shadows. The substance is Christ.
In the Old Testament, food laws, festivals, and Sabbath regulations pointed forward to the Messiah. But now that Christ has come, we don’t cling to the shadows—we cling to the Savior. Think about seeing a loved one after a long time apart. When they step off the plane, you don’t fall to the ground and hug their shadow. You go straight to the person.
Paul says: don’t hug shadows. Don’t cling to symbols. Jesus is here. Hold on to Him.
Application: Stop letting people put spiritual scorecards in your hand. You are not more saved because of what you do—or less saved because of what you don’t. You’re saved by grace through faith in Christ. Full stop.
But the legalists didn’t stop with food and festivals. They added another twist—spiritual elitism. Paul now warns against another dangerous trap.
2. Reject Spiritual Elitism and Mysticism (vv. 18–19)
“Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you…”
Some of the false teachers in Colossae were claiming deeper spiritual insight based on mystical experiences—visions, angelic worship, and hyper-spiritual behavior.
They appeared humble—but it was a false humility. Their minds were puffed up, and their spirituality wasn’t grounded in the gospel. Paul says plainly: “They have lost connection with the Head.”
Contextual Note:
In Greek culture, there was a fascination with secret knowledge, visions, and spiritual hierarchies. These influences crept into the church and made people feel second-rate if they hadn’t had the same “experiences.”
It’s like someone saying, “God told me something He didn’t tell you,” or “You’re not really mature unless you’ve had this vision, or fasted for 40 days, or spoken with angels.” It creates a spiritual caste system—and Paul calls it what it is: disconnected from Christ.
Application: The highest spiritual experience isn’t seeing angels—it’s knowing Jesus. The most powerful revelation isn’t found in mystical visions—it’s found in the gospel. Stay connected to the Head—and don’t let anyone disqualify you for walking simply and faithfully with Christ.
Next, Paul shifts his focus from religious rules and mystical visions to the core problem: trying to live for God using worldly methods. Let’s hear his third challenge.
3. Don’t Submit to Rules That Have No Power (vv. 20–23)
“Since you died with Christ… why do you submit to its rules: ‘Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!’?”
Paul is saying: Why are you living like you still belong to the world?
If Christ has set you free, why are you going back to performance-based religion? He lists rules that sound wise—self-discipline, abstinence, harsh treatment of the body—but says they are powerless to transform the heart. You can modify behavior without changing the soul. You can follow every rule and still miss Jesus.
It’s like trying to treat a heart condition with a bandage. The problem is internal, not external. Rules may control your actions—but only Jesus can change your nature.
Application: Discipline is good—but it’s not godliness unless it’s rooted in Christ. Don’t confuse spiritual effort with spiritual transformation. We don’t obey to earn Christ—we obey because we already have Him.
Conclusion:
Legalism always looks good on the outside.
It sounds wise.
It feels safe.
It creates structure.
But it lacks power. It breeds pride or despair. And worst of all—it shifts your eyes off Christ.
Paul says: Don’t let anyone judge you. Don’t let anyone disqualify you. Don’t submit to rules that don’t change your heart.
Because Christ has already qualified you.
He has already set you free.
You don’t need to climb a religious ladder to be accepted.
You’ve already been seated with Christ.
So stop striving. Stop performing. Stop chasing shadows. And rest in this truth:
Christ is enough. And in Him—you are complete.
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the promise that we are complete in You. Thank You that we don’t have to earn Your love, perform for Your approval, or climb religious ladders. Forgive us for the times we’ve drifted into legalism—measuring ourselves and others by rules instead of grace. Help us stay rooted in You. Help us recognize deception and spiritual pride. Set us free from striving. Restore to us the joy of simply walking with You. And may our lives always declare: Jesus is enough. In Your strong and saving name we pray, Amen.