Colossians 2:23

Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

Paul now pulls the curtain back.

These practices look wise.

They sound disciplined. They appear humble. They even seem spiritual because they involve self denial. But Paul says they are only a show of wisdom.

At the center of it all is something he calls will worship.

What is will worship?

It is spirituality built on human determination.

It is the subtle boast that says, “Look at my strength. Look at my discipline. Look at my self control. Don’t you wish you were this serious?”

The focus quietly shifts from Christ to self.

The Bible gives us a chilling example of raw will power. In Isaiah 14, the one who fell said, “I will ascend. I will exalt. I will be like the Most High.” It was all will. All determination. All self assertion.

But heaven is not impressed by strong wills.

God is not looking for iron determination. He is looking for surrendered hearts.

Paul says these things have no real value in restraining the flesh. They do not defeat it. They only redirect attention to it.

Here is the irony.

When someone becomes obsessed with denying the body, they are still obsessed with the body.

When someone makes food, habits, or outward practices the center of spirituality, the focus is still on the flesh. Whether you indulge it or starve it, if it remains the center, it still controls you.

It is like someone constantly checking a mirror to make sure they are not vain. The mirror still dominates their attention.

Christ never called us to worship our will.

He called us to abide in Him.

There will always be voices that try to add something extra. If you are serious, you will eat this. If you are spiritual, you will avoid that. If you were really committed, you would live like me.

Paul says be careful.

Intellectual pride can distract you. Rule keeping can bind you. Mystical experiences can deceive you. Harsh self denial can impress people. But none of it produces the simple, joyful life found in Jesus.

All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Him.

Not in your will power.

Not in your dietary choices.

Not in your intensity.

In Him.

Think of a child learning to walk while holding his father’s hand. The strength is not in the child’s grip. The safety is in the father’s hold.

The Christian life is not powered by how tightly you grip Christ.

It is sustained by how securely He holds you.

So keep your eyes there.

Not on the strength of your will.

On the sufficiency of your Savior.