²⁰ 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, ²¹ “Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”? ²² Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. ²³ 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 2:20-23

Dear God, how have I missed this passage? I mean, I know I’ve read it. I know I’ve journaled on it. But I was at a worship service last night led by a group of young adults in their late teens and early twenties, and I read this while they were referencing a passage earlier in this chapter. It really struck me. Paul was quite provocative in what he taught!

Speaking of the worship service, what a delight! It was so refreshing to see a group of young people who are young and even somewhat immature in their faith (That’s not a criticism of their faith. In many ways, I’m still immature in my faith too. I’m sure you really shake your head at me sometimes.) just standing up there, loving you, and encouraging others to join them in loving you and getting to know you. I prayed for them while they were up there. I prayed for their lives. And I pray that again this morning. Protect their faith. Nurture it. It is burning hot right now, and I know that when things burn hot they can also burn out. I don’t want that for them. Protect them as you form them. Nurture them. Love them. Raise up people in their lives who will be your words, your comfort, and your peace. They reminded me so much of myself at that age except all of them were musically talented and I was not. I was there because I knew one of the young men from when he was a little boy. I know that his faith developed in a real and earnest way. It wasn’t a faith his parents forced on him, although his parents are Godly people. No, it is his faith that came about apart from them and it is wonderful to see. Oh, how I pictured you smiling down on them last night. What a delight! I think I said that already, but it’s still true. In fact, I’ll say it again. What a delight!

But back to this passage. The deception Paul reveals in verse 23 seems like something that is worth really simmering on: “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.” Then he goes on at the beginning of chapter three to basically say that we need to identify the “evil desires” and determine to eliminate them from our lives, even though that process in itself might be imperfect. That what Jesus was for. But piety for piety’s sake will accomplish nothing.

Father, I want to continue to stew on this passage. Especially verse 23: “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.” I want to major in the majors today, Father. I want to do things that are truly about conquering my evil desires. To paraphrase Paul in Colossians 3:5, I want to put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within me. I want to have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. I don’t want to be greedy or an idolater. I don’t want to worship things of this world including political power, money, influence, safety or adulation of others. I just want to be part of your plan. I want to worship you. I want to love you and know you. I want to be formed by you and brought to peace through being as close to you as possible. And I want to love everyone around me as best as I can including my wife, my children, my extended family, my coworkers, my friends, and then everyone else I encounter. Show me how to love. And one quick prayer for the special person we encountered yesterday at our clinic. Be with them in this moment right now. Free them, in Jesus, from their demons. Bring them to a safe place in you. Help them to be healed. Heal them. Supernaturally. Through the earthly tools we helped them get to. Keep them safe. Bring them peace. Bring their family peace.

I pray all of this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen