Religion

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day- things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ. 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. If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, "Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!" (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)-in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence. (Colossians 2:8-11, 16-23 NASB)

Self-abasement=denying yourself of food, wealth, worth...choices

Religion is a dangerous business. In the right context it can be the bread of life to all who find it, but outside of God's design or when laid fully in the hands of men, rather than God, it becomes perverted.

1. Let us not assume the righteousness we found today should be the rule of law for another. Firstly, our convictions ought to be based on what God has done in us, not merely what has been taught. Therefore our convictions or understanding pushed onto another can cause strife rather than "alignment into our way of thinking."

2. Take heart when others don't understand your convictions and/or what God is doing in you and try to suggest or even put parameters around your behavior. What God has begun in you, He will bring it to fruition. What is not of God will eventually perish.

3. YET, choose WISELY whom you will trust, knowing that the heart is sick (yes, yours too). But measure all things by the Word of God and the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Those who truly desire wisdom will receive it.