Let No Man Beguile You: A Warning Against Fleshly Spirituality

Let No Man Beguile You: A Warning Against Fleshly Spirituality

“Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding the Head…” — Colossians 2:18

This verse is a warning from Paul to believers who were being influenced by people claiming to be deeply spiritual, but who were actually leading others away from Christ. Paul is not talking about losing salvation—our salvation is secure in Christ. He’s talking about losing reward: the eternal blessings and fruit that come from walking faithfully, growing spiritually, and staying connected to the truth.

Some people were presenting themselves as very humble and holy, even claiming to have special visions or experiences with angels. They looked spiritual, but their hearts were proud. They were puffed up by their own thoughts and feelings, not by the truth of God’s Word. Paul says they were “intruding” into things they hadn’t really seen—pretending to understand spiritual things that God hadn’t revealed to them. And worst of all, they were not “holding the Head”—they were not staying connected to Christ, who is the Head of the Body, the Church.

In simple terms, Paul is saying: don’t let anyone trick you into following a kind of religion that looks deep but is actually empty. Don’t be impressed by people who act humble but are really showing off. Don’t chase after visions, rituals, or spiritual experiences that take your eyes off Christ. These things might feel powerful, but they are fleshly—they come from human pride, not from God.

As believers in this age of grace, we are complete in Christ. We don’t need intermediaries like angels, or special experiences, or religious performances to grow. We grow by staying close to Christ, by trusting His Word, and by walking in the truth of the mystery revealed to Paul. That mystery is not about visions or feelings—it’s about Christ in us, the hope of glory.

Today, many believers are drawn to teachings that promote mystical experiences, strict self-denial, or secret spiritual knowledge. These things often seem humble and holy, but they can lead us away from the simplicity of Christ. They can make us feel like we’re missing out unless we do more, see more, or feel more. But Paul says clearly: don’t let anyone rob you of your reward. Stay rooted in Christ. Hold the Head. Let Him nourish you, guide you, and grow you.

So, examine your heart. Are you being drawn toward things that feel spiritual but don’t point you to Christ? Are you impressed by people who claim visions and insights but don’t exalt the Head? Are you tempted to measure your growth by experiences instead of truth?

Let this verse remind you: you are complete in Him. You don’t need to chase what others claim to see. You need to hold fast to Christ. That is where true growth happens. That is where reward is found.

“Ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.” — Colossians 2:10 

“Holding the Head, from which all the body…increaseth with the increase of God.” — Colossians 2:19

“Let no man therefore judge you…which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.” — Colossians 2:16-17