Recap on Asceticism• Belief that discipline or self-denial

releases the soul from bondage to the body and permits union with the divine.

• Essens believed their ascetic lifestyle would bring Israel back to God.

• Some early Christians believed asceticism would hasten the return of Christ.

Recap on Asceticism• Encratites – 2nd century

Christians who believed contact to the world through the body should be rejected.

• 4th century – Christendom under Constantine elevated celibacy to the Christian ideal.

Recap on Asceticism• 4th century on…–Christianity is now at the forefront.–The ideal of martyrdom is now less

likely.–Clergy gained power, affluence,

and influence.–Celibacy becomes the new

symbolic discipline.

Recap on Asceticism• Some ascetics would exist in the

desert, living a lifestyle of self-deprivation.

• More recently, Christians seek to experience Christ’s literal sufferings in the desert and on the cross.

Recap on Asceticism• Are we not called to identify with

Christ’s sufferings?

• Are we not taught to renounce worldliness?

• Isn’t fasting a healthy form of self-denial?

Recap on Asceticism• Yes.–Matthew 5:10-12, 2 Corinthians 4:8-11, 2

Corinthians 2:10, 2 Timothy 3:12

• Yes.– 1 John 2:15, Romans 12:2, James 1:27

• And Yes.–Matthew 6:16, Acts 13:3, Acts 14:23

Recap on Asceticism• Paul’s afflictions:–Prison, severe flogging, exposed to

death again and again, forty lashes minus one five times, beaten with rods three times, stoned, shipwrecked, on the open sea, on the move, rivers, bandits, Jews, Gentiles, city, country, false brothers, labor, toil, lack of sleep, hungry, thirsty, cold and naked.

“If I must boast, I will boastof the things that show

my weakness.”

2 Corinthians 11:30

The Final Word…• The life of the Spirit is not one of

asceticism but one of assertion. We get rid of unacceptable desires in the only way possible, by replacing them with higher desires. We get rid of self centeredness by God-centeredness, through surrender.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the

name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the

Father through him.

Colossians 3:17

False Humility• Starting in Colossians 2:8, Paul eludes

to a negative influence in the church.

• The very first descriptor of this group is presented in verse 18: “anyone who delights in false humility.”

• This descriptor is important enough to be repeated in verse 23.

Genuine Humility• Among the virtues Paul later

encourages us to clothe ourselves with (as God’s holy, chosen, and dearly loved people) is humility.–Colossians 3:12

• What then, are the key differences between true and false humility?

True vs. False HumilityTRUE

• Regards others before oneself.

• Does not seek the praise of one’s peers.

• God’s agenda.• Servant-minded.• Starts at the bottom and

is sometimes elevated.• Action.• Ultimately exalted.

FALSE• Inwardly prideful and

self-contemplative.• Self-abases for the sake

of obtaining praise.• Personal agenda.• Self-interested.• Starts at the top and is

frequently lowered.• Acting.• Ultimately humbled.

The Layers of True Humility• Committed to serving God’s

purpose.

• Unconcerned with your own personal issues or image.

• Unconcerned with the evaluation, respect, or accolades of others.

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any

tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit

and purpose.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition

or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than

yourselves. Each of you should look not only to

your own interests, but also to the

interests of others.

Philippians 2:1-4