Colossians 2:18-19 False Teachers

Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God. [Colossians 2:18-19 NASB]

False teachers would cheat you out of your salvation. Paul mentioned some of the attributes of the teachers who were in Colossae and the surrounding area.

First, he mentions their contradictory attitude, that they delight in their humility. This is reminiscent of the Pharisees, about whom Jesus said;

Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” [Matthew 15:14 NASB]

They take joy in announcing, "I'm just a humble man." or "I'm just a sinner", yet in their attitude you can see that take great pride in their admission.

The false teaching in Colossae involved the worship of angels. Even today, in the Christian church, there are many people who revere angels. This is evident by the vast number of books on the subject, and the artwork and figurines which can be found in Christian book stores. Some Christian religions endorse praying to angels, along with "saints", with the thought they can intercede to God on our behalf.

The angels of God neither deserve worship, nor do they want it. The apostle John give this account when he was overwhelmed by the appearance of an angel;

Then I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus; worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” [Revelation 19:10 NASB]

An angel who receives worship is a fallen angel, in league with Satan. Anyone who worships angels is worshiping a demon. Anyone who prays to an angel is praying to a demon.

They take a stand on their visions and revelations. Thus, their theology is based on what they want to believe, even if it is contrary to the word of God.

They reveal themselves by their conceit. They have to be the smartest person in the room, or the most spiritual, in contradiction to their self-professed humility.

Don't be taken in by them. Hold fast to Jesus, keeping in mind that He is the head of the church.

If you are walking in the Spirit, you will not need to announce or display your humility. It will be evident, as a fruit of the Spirit, to all.

If your eyes are on Jesus, your worship and your prayers will be for God alone. You do not need to seek the aid of angels. They are not yours to command. But if God wants to send an angel to minister to you, that is His business.

If you are in the Spirit, you may receive a vision or a revelation from God. If it is truly from God, you can be sure that it will never contradict the scriptures. If your attitude is in submission to God, then any revelation you receive is subject to the judgement of the church, not in defiance of it.

If you see Jesus as the head of the church, then you will not elevate yourself to His position. Jesus is the head, and the rest of us are equally following Him.

Jesus, I thank You that You have revealed Yourself as the head of the church. Please open my eyes, and give me wisdom to recognize the false teachers, and to resist them. Lord, I know that You alone are God, and You alone are worthy of praise and worship.