Man-Made Rules

Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations—”Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? 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 2:20-23

In the concluding section of Colossians 2, Paul addresses the ever common mistake of trying to perfect one’s self and attain holiness by rigid self-denials—”do not touch, do not taste, do not handle.” Holiness and perfection never come about by exterior or man-made rules. As a matter of fact, man-made rules reinforce and strengthen the fallen nature. Rules imposed upon us by the human mind never bring release, but only add to our heavy burden. One reason for this is that the Holy Spirit is not obligated to help us keep self-imposed or man-imposed concepts and rules. Therefore, when we attempt to carry out statutes created by the fl esh, it is done without the aid of the Holy Spirit and we will utterly fail. Therefore, it is imperative to understand just what God requires of us and what He does not. All the numerous rituals and ordinances of the Old Testament were described by Peter as a yoke “which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear” (Acts 15:10). Later, under the Holy Spirit’s direction, the apostles determined to lay upon the Gentiles no greater burden than these four necessary things:

(1) to abstain from things polluted by idols,

(2) from sexual immorality,

(3) from things strangled, and

(4) from drinking blood (Acts 15:20, 28-29).

Concerning added traditions, dos and don’ts, and austere self-denials, Paul continues to say that neglecting the body does not make a person more spiritual (Col. 2:23). Denials and abstinence can appear to be a display of humility and piety. They may even seem to promote holiness, but in actuality, they don’t. Holiness comes as we walk in the Spirit. Exterior regulations in themselves never change the heart. Avoiding certain kinds of food or wearing legislated lengths of dresses or skirts do not change our nature. Holiness comes by union and communion with a holy God. Holiness is the result of walking daily with Him, obeying Him, submitting to those He places over us and maintaining a personal anointing in our lives. “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfi ll the lust of the flesh” (Gal. 5:16).

Therefore, we should ask ourselves, “Are there any traditions, dos and dont’s, or rigid self-denials in my life (imposed upon me by man or by myself) that are hindering me from becoming holy?”