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"An appearance of wisdom..."

Text: Colossians 2:23

ATTRACTED TO THESE BASIC PRINCIPLES

Unfortunately many seemed to have been attracted to these basic principles of the world. The false teachers had managed to package their teaching in such a way the unsuspecting seem to find them appealing.

“These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom
in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body,
but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.”
Colossians 2:23

1. “An appearance of wisdom”

This was how the false teachers managed to present their material:-

a) On the surface it looks wise.

b) But this was just “appearance”.

c) If examined in depth, the flaws and weaknesses glaringly appear.

2. Features of the system

a) Self-imposed religion or piety.

b) Humility

i) Questionable as to its genuineness.

ii) Hence the translators of NKJV added the word (“false”) in italics.

c) Neglect of the body

i) This explains the idea behind “self-imposed religion”.

ii) Abstinence is a form of practised neglect.

iii) In more severe forms, the individual goes on to prolonged fasts.

iv) In more extreme forms the body is subject to torture.

v) But these are taught as “self-imposed”.

vi) If anything goes wrong, the false teachers cannot be held accountable.

3. Of what value are these practices?

a) Paul opines that they are of “no value”.

b) Take for instance the issue of “the indulgence of the flesh”.

i) Abstinence does not necessarily end up with conquest of the indulgence of the flesh.

ii) There may be temporary success.

iii) The individual may succumb to strong craving at the end of the day!