Syncretism means Mixture; God’s Word warns us against it.
14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? FOR WE ARE THE TEMPLE OF THE LIVING GOD (Worth Remembering). 2 Corinthians 6
FIVE TIMES PAUL ASKS what relationship does Good have with evil? The answer is None, they cannot co-exist.
Paul was not personally known to the Church in Colosse, but he wrote his letter to warn them of the great danger of accepting the teachings of men in place of Christ. His warning is still applicable to many parts of the body today.
… in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, CHRIST, 3 IN WHOM ARE HIDDEN ALL THE TREASURES OF WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE. 4 I tell you this SO THAT NO ONE MAY DECEIVE YOU BY FINE-SOUNDING ARGUMENTS. Colossians 2
The name anti Christ means ‘against or in place of’. Anything or anyone who is against Christ or is seeking to replace Christ is to be rejected and avoided, no matter how plausible or fine-sounding they may seem.
8 See to it that no one TAKES YOU CAPTIVE THROUGH HOLLOW AND DECEPTIVE PHILOSOPHY, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world RATHER THAN ON CHRIST.
Philosophy, literally ‘love of knowledge’, appeals to the mind. It may be high-sounding, but not Christ loving. Paul describes it as, ‘hollow and deceptive’ and warns the Church not to be taken in by it/taken captive by human traditions.
16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; THE REALITY, HOWEVER, IS FOUND IN CHRIST.
Religious traditions and festivals are not what counts, yet so many today still believe they do, but Paul under the anointing of the Holy Spirit says not. It’s not about religious observance and traditions, but following Christ and loving Him.
7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him. Philippians 3
Paul said he was a Hebrew(Jew of the Jews), but once he met Christ he gave it all up and thought it dross.
18 Do not let anyone (doesn’t matter who they are or what position they hold) who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. 19 They have 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.
Finally Paul warns the Colossians against those who boast about spiritual experiences, something we may all be drawn towards. Paul warns that they have lost connection with the Head, Christ, who oversees the whole body. Even spiritual things can replace the Supremacy of Christ Col 1:18, if we’re not careful and guarding against it.
May God bless and keep you today.