In today’s world, there are many ‘christians’ who claim that they have some special vision, knowledge, that will help you grow in Christ to your true calling and get spiritual nourishment. The church in Colosse had to face that, and thankfully Paul found out about it, and in Col 2, Paul gives a clear warning about spiritual nourishment that goes beyond Christ. He warns the believers to watch out for those who defraud the people of God by presenting false sources of nourishment. He says:
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.
In this blog, we will explore the essential truths that Paul mentioned which are timeless and helpful for us today.
True Spiritual Nourishment doesn’t come from False Humility and Self-Debasement
Paul first addresses the issue of false humility. In Colosse, these people pushed the doctrines of asceticism, gnosticism and the Jewish law, as the path to spiritual nourishment. They said that if you deny your body, humble yourself to the point of low self-esteem, you will find Christ. These practices are there even today with people denying the body of “pleasures” like sleep, food and even sex (for those married), because they feel that this makes them acceptable to God, and God will open him up. However, Paul makes it clear that such behaviour is not genuine humility—it is the result of a fleshly mindset and a deceptive belief that self-made suffering can earn God’s favour. This mindset, Paul explains, is demonic in nature because it shifts the focus away from Christ and places it on human effort.
True Spiritual Nourishment doesn’t come from Outside the Scripture “Dreams”
Another issue Paul warns against is the false claim of special spiritual knowledge, often accompanied by visions. These are those who say that they received a special revelation in their prayer closet, and subtly distort the Word saying that you need to do THIS to get spiritual nourishment. For example, Mormonism founder saw a vision that distorted the Word of God.
While these individuals may indeed have seen visions, Paul quite strongly says that these are just dreams fuelled out of fleshly mindsets and zeals to search something along with Christ to achieve what they are looking for. There are many spiritual leaders that are this way. They think that these visions are from God even if they contradict Scripture. They are driven by a lust for something extra or spectacular beyond the Word of God. These people often create a hierarchical system where those with special knowledge or visions are elevated above others. This division goes against the very essence of Christ, who unites all believers. Read also The Misuse of “Do not Touch the Lord’s Anointed”
True Spiritual Nourishment Comes from Christ
Paul teaches that we must hold firmly to Christ, the Head of the Church, for true spiritual nourishment. This means we should not seek nourishment through human-made practices or external experiences. Our connection to Christ is what sustains us, and it is through Him that we are equipped for growth. There are 4 things that Paul mentions here that is typical of spiritual nourishment from Christ.
1. It is a Constant Supply
The nourishment that comes from Christ is a constant and never-ending supply. There is no need to repeatedly plead with God to provide it, like he got distracted and forgot to pour out the nourishments. The dryness that sometimes we feel is not because God did not provide the nourishment, but because our minds are dominated by the fleshly mindsets.
To experience the flow of nourishment, instead of pleading saying “God we need this,” and all that, we must return to the source: Christ, the Head of the Church.
2. It Provides for the Whole Body
Spiritual nourishment from Christ is not exclusive to the pastor or the leader—it is available to all believers. The nourishment we receive is meant for the entire body of Christ, ensuring that everyone can grow in their faith and understanding. The idea of spiritual hierarchy and exclusive knowledge is contrary to the unity that Christ brings. (Read more here).
3. It Unifies the Body of Christ
The nourishment from Christ holds the body together through joints and ligaments, unifying the church rather than dividing it. The true spiritual nourishment strengthens relationships, fosters unity, and creates a sense of oneness in the body of believers. There are no tiers or divisions in Christ; we all grow together.
4. It Promotes Growth
True spiritual nourishment leads to growth—both individually and corporately. As believers are nourished by Christ, they grow in their faith, and the church as a whole grows. This growth is not just in numbers but in maturity and understanding of God’s Word.
Conclusion: Spiritual Nourishment Comes Only from Christ
In Colossians, Paul clearly instructs us to avoid false sources of nourishment and to hold fast to Christ, the Head. Only through Christ can we receive true spiritual nourishment—nourishment that is constant, unifying, and leads to growth. As believers, we must reject the temptations of special knowledge or human practices that claim to offer something beyond Christ. When we are plugged into the Head, we have everything we need to grow in our faith and fulfill the calling God has placed on our lives.
Let us stay grounded in Christ, the true source of all spiritual nourishment, and encourage others to do the same. Together, as one body, we will grow in grace and truth.
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