From a sermon by Bryant Wright, Founder

“So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths.” Colossians 2:16 NLT

It may look like devotion, but legalism leads to spiritual captivity.

It places burdens on us that were never meant to be ours to carry. In Colossians 2:8, the apostle Paul warns the early church to be careful that they are not taken captive by “hollow and deceptive philosophies”—those human traditions that sound good but aren’t rooted in Christ.

Many well-meaning people fall into the trap of legalism. They add rules on top of what God has given, thinking it will make them more righteous. We see this in religious circles, where certain behaviors or traditions are elevated above the truth of Jesus and reading God’s Word. It can even creep into everyday life, where manmade standards of success or morality dictate how we live. This is what Paul was referring to in Colossians 2:16, where he instructed people to strongly resist the legalistic approach of false teachers.

Jesus came to free us from this kind of bondage. He continually resisted the Pharisees and religious leaders who tried to impose their manmade rules on others. In doing so, Jesus showed us that true righteousness comes from Him—not from what we do.

Are there areas in your life where you’ve been taken captive by legalism? Maybe it’s in your religious practices, or perhaps it’s in the expectations society has placed on you. The good news is that Jesus offers you freedom from legalism. His Word is enough.

God’s Word + God’s Grace = Ultimate Freedom.

Examine your heart. Are you living in the freedom of Christ, or do unnecessary rules and traditions burden you? Ask God to show you where you may be adding to His Word and invite Him to set you free from those burdens.

DIG DEEPER
Read “Our Traditions or God’s Word?” also by Bryant Wright