This Bible verse became alive about 10 years ago or so, but somehow, I fell back into the worlds thinking and I rediscovered the truth of this section of scripture. It feels so liberating… Does anyone else find this section of scripture liberating? And do you not agree that the Church doesn’t really teach this, instead they teach legalism? “Don’t look, setup boundaries, etc…” Yeah, those things don’t work, because it is using the flesh to control the flesh. Just wanted to share and was wondering if others see the universal truth in this verse. I have heard some Christians say this only applies to food and food only, but I completely disagree. It applies to pretty much all aspect of our sin nature. If we control the flesh with the flesh (by rules and regulations) we just change one form of bondage for another. Though, the Bible does speak of “lawlessness”, which I would be curious to study more in depth, because it doesn’t seem to mean what I think it means.
That’s well said, Gabe, and puts in focus a lot of what I’ve been thinking about lately.
Gabe,
You don’t realize what you just did. Wow, that is liberating. Thank you for sharing! 
I like this verse as well, Isaiah 29:13
It’s a great topic, Gabe, and I think you’re right. I’d love to hear more of what you have to say about this, and I’m looking forward to reading others’ comments. Right now, I don’t think I could really add to what you’ve already put forth, though maybe something will spark an idea as the thread develops. 
Thanks!
The key words here are “according to HUMAN precepts and teachings”. But that doesn’t mean that if there was something in the Law that said “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch” that we should disregard it. Because that is God’s Law, afterall. Remember, the very first commandment was “Do not eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil”, and we all know what happened there.
I think what Paul is saying is similar what the Pharisees commanded in Jesus’ day, those kind of traditions of man (Mark 7;8 - washing of pots, etc) that nullify the commandments of God, or the intended purpose of God for those laws. God’s Law wasn’t done away with, but rather fulfilled in Christ, and we should obey God’s Law as the Holy Spirit enables us, allowing Christ to fulfill the Law in us by Grace, as we enjoy our relationship with God. “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.” - Romans 6:15.
So, yes, we don’t want to be legalistic about God Law, either. On the other hand, we don’t want irresponsible in the things of God. “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” - I Cor. 6:12. We shouldn’t make opportunity for the flesh. Which brings me to the topic of standards.
Some view standards of the church as being somewhat legalistic (women shouldn’t wear pants, men should not wear long hair) . And I agree that pushed too far, standards can be overdone. But the church ought be instructive in the area of modesty and good taste. Some churches strongly encourage modest standards, if for no other reason than to curb opportunities for the flesh, especially among young people. Teaching modesty isn’t new, as even Paul encouraged it (I Tim. 2:9), but again, each church establishes their own standards.
I’ve been in churches that have high standards of modesty, even to the point of disallowing makeup for ladies, ankle-length dresses, and only long hair. And short hair, no facial hair for men. I’ve also been in churches where there is a very liberal policy, almost no modesty standards, allowing shorts and t-shirts for both sexes and no restriction for hair. I don’t think either extreme is healthy.
In believe that standards should be taught, but with the caveat that it is intended for members, especially those in ministry positions. (I’ve seen visitors in our church wear very low cut blouses and short skirts that can be distracting at times, but we don’t demand any standards on visitors). Nor should standards deter from the spirit of the intent to teach modesty. Not to say that everyone agrees on standards, but it is nevertheless important.
I think the original setting of this verse in Colossians is such that one almost has to read a couple of chapters to get the sense of what Paul is saying here and why. The thought and activity police are ever with us and in Colossie were having a field day stirring up the Church there. Paul’s objective is to steer them back to the central theme of the gospel and the life of the believer. Much of what Dondi says is just good common sense. Paul elsewhere says that allowing ones freedom to trip up a brother or sister is to misuse freedom. However there is the other side of the issue in that it is easy to fall into the trap of limiting the freedom of others by making rules or establishing traditions which seem godly but actually causes pain and entrapment in systematic control. Historically the Church has been guilty of this sort of activity much too often. Have a read further on in Colossians 3 say from vs 12 through 17 because that is how it is suggested that we deal with these issues in a practical, spiritual and loving sense controlled by the Holy Spirit as a body of believers when we meet even as we do here on line. I think it is clear that forgivness and bearing with each other is the key.
A couple of thoughts:
Firstly, my understanding is that the Colossian church was largely Gentile rather than Jewish and were subject to two temptations. One was to succumb to the Jewish pressure to ‘add’ to there spirituality, various customs of the Jews, which were either man-made or had been made obsolete, after Christ. The second was the temptation to replace former gentile cultic practices with what they thought were ‘spiritual’ practices, but which were equally meaningless. We are always under pressure to ‘do’ things.
On the subject of legalistic church groups, it seems the less a group of people are spiritually in tune (can’t think of a better phrase at the moment) the more they need to surround themselves with legalistic paraphernalia to fill the vacuum.
S
Stormy,
Your words bespeak to my Adventist church experience. You nailed it right on the head. This is actually the current problem I’m trying to get myself out of or overcome.
Great thread - thanks Gabe, and can anyone (Gabe?) tell me what translation is being quoted in the OP please?
It appears to be the English Standard Version.
biblegateway.com/passage/?s … ersion=ESV
Just curious why you wish to know?