March 13, 2022
John Harris

On Guard

Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. —Colossians 2:18-19

Be on guard against anything that

1. Be on guard against
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   humility rather than
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   humility.
   

2. Be on guard against anything that emphasizes divine
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   over the one true
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   .
   

3. Be on guard against anything that values
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   of
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   experience over
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   in the
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   Christ.
   

1. Which means more to you–a letter from someone or a photograph of someone?
   

2. Read Colossians 2:18-19. Paul says that there were some who were insisting on asceticism, which was a form of false humility. True humility is a Christian virtue. What are some examples of false humility? How does it manifest itself?
   

3. Many in Paul’s world had an unquenchable yearning for the transcendent and were captivated by those who could manufacture vivid visions of it. In what ways does our culture manufacture vivid visions and create experiences and ideologies that can distract us from Christ?
   

4. Why is it dangerous to emphasize feelings of subjective experience over faith in the historical Christ?
   

5. Share some examples of today’s curiosity and obsession with angels. What is the attraction to angels as divine intermediaries over Christ as the One true Mediator?
   

6. Anyone who becomes disconnected from Christ stops growing and loses the ability to discern the truth. What does Paul say about this in verse 19 and what do you do to stay connected to Christ and His Church?
   

7. Christian growth is a lifelong process. Change may be slow, but your life will change significantly if you trust God to change you. What does Paul say about this in verse 19 and how does it apply to your life? As you look over the last year, what positive changes have you seen in your thoughts and attitudes?
   

Close in prayer.