In the Colossian Church, the error of Gnosticism began to surface, as many claimed to have a deep knowledge of God and his will, the Apostle Paul began to label what he saw — he labeled it as a “self-made” religion(2:21) which in every aspect has the “appearance of wisdom” (2:23); yet, had “no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh” (2:23). In other words, there were Christians in that church who seemed wise because they knew the Bible, yet because their knowledge never translated into application, they were ineffective at overcoming the flesh, bearing good fruit, and enduring trials and tribulations with godly resolve.
