Going back to elemental spirits The teachings of men & tradition

Freedom from empty deception & the philosophy of men

Colossians 2:6–8 NIV

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.

Christ sets us free from religious rituals, cultural traditions & demonic practices

Cultural practices usually will keep us from experiencing the fullness of Christ

These practices usually are rooted in witchcraft and superstition

This allows the enemy to still have legal rights in our lives. (The soul life)

Were justified/saved through Christ because of His finished work on the cross, but the soul life, which in the new testament is called the zoe life can still lack the experience of The Kingdom of God.

Romans 14:17 “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

Colossians 2:13–16 “And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

What are powers & principalities?

Principalities: Are ruling spirits, usually evil, in full opposition to Christ and His purposes on earth. Principalities tend to oversee other evil spirits in regions, such as nations, territories, false religions, and even family lineages.

Powers: Powers are evil spirits that have authority to carry out activities opposed to Gods plan of salvation in specific arenas in life, one of their main activities are meant to keep people from coming to the gospel and knowledge of Christ

Paul’s warning about the last days

1 Timothy 4:1 “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,”

Behind every false religion, teaching, & philosophy there is demonic activity reinforcing it.

We are in a time & season where we must keep our minds on Christ

Colossians 3:2–3 “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”

God as our hiding place

Psalm 31:20 NKJV

You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence From the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion From the strife of tongues.

When you are hidden in Christ you will discern error & be able to discern evil activity inspired by powers and principalities.

1 Corinthians 12:10 “to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.”

Paul’s discernment of the young girl at Philippi

Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” And this she did for many days.

But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour.