18. Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. 19. He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
A couple of weeks ago we talked about how Paul warned the Colossians against emotional experiences.
The Gnostics were all excited about angels. They believed since the physical and material was evil, we had to go through emanations or spiritual visions like angels to get to God. That is why they felt Christ couldn't be God. He was probably one of the higher angels. Because they couldn't believe He could be holy and in a human body at the same time. They did not believe it possible that He could be God in human form, but as Paul observes, this view is also false humility. Here is the reasoning "I am not good enough to come directly to God, so I will start with one of the angels." That is idolatry too.
Idolatry is when anything at all takes the place of God or the worship of God. God wants us to come to Him alone. You cannot go through a minister, your parents, your church, a saint who has died, Mary, angels, or any other living or dead being.
The Bible says 1 Tim 2:5-6 "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, Who gave himself as a ransom for all men-- "
Many people claim to have special spiritual revelations making them seem as if they have inside information on what God is saying. The result is a new set of laws and rules that must be obeyed, followed, or adhered to. Such revelations are the very thing that grows cults. Some claim to have received a special message by an angel.
Hebrews 1:1-2 is clear. “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe." or in Galatians 1:8 “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!"
Many will credit the Holy Spirit to be their guide and come up with bizarre and unusual visions that are not of God. John 16:13-14 says, "When the Spirit of Truth comes, he will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it unto you." The job of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Son, Jesus Christ, not himself. However, if one is talking about Jesus and the Scriptures, be encouraged to see if it is of God. If not, then beware for even revelations can be given for the wrong reason.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 says; "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workman, masquerading as apostles of Christ and no wonder for Satan himself masquerade as an angel of light. It is not surprising then if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve."
Application: We need to be warned about spiritual revelations. Are they of God? Are they Biblical? Is someone trying to gain a following by setting himself up as an authority?
Lord, I look to you and Your Word for revelation. I look to Your Holy Spirit to guide me into all truth.
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