Colossians 2:20-22

I must admit, I have not really thought about our freedom and the “spiritual powers of this world”. Just before our verses, Paul is saying to not let someone condemn you for what you eat or drink, as well as what holidays, new moon ceremonies, or Sabbaths you keep. (Verse 16) What this boils down to is a works/performance mentality. We get caught up thinking we have to earn our salvation and/or God’s love. But we don’t!

My NLT version starts off verse 20 like this: “You have died with Christ- He has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world.” The enemy of our lives has full range here. When he was sent down, he took over rule of this earth. (Jesus said it in John 12:31) That's why when people say that God’s in control of everything… they are wrong. Non-believers get mad and give God credit for everything bad that happens. God doesn’t kill people. He doesn’t send hurricanes, typhoons, or tornadoes to wipe people out. He wants everyone said before they pass away.

Being free from the spiritual powers of this world means that God gives us authority and we can use it to rebuke the enemy. We don’t have to sit around and be beat up by him. We can resist him and he will flee. We can rebuke him and he will go. We are free to follow and live God’s ways, not by the ways of the world.