“Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” Colossians 2:21
According to the Center for the Study of Global Christianity, there are 45,000
Christian denominations in the world, more than 200 exist in the United States of America. Each denomination varying from another based on its interpretation of the bible, organization structure, manners of worship and the rules imposed of its followers to obtain godliness. In Colossians 2:21, the verse cites rules, ascetic in nature, to promote an atmosphere of strictness within the Colossians church. Asceticism seeks to instill godliness is tied to keeping rules to control the urges of the flesh. Unfortunately, no amount of self-denial thoughts or gestures can tame the the desires of flesh.
After the acceptance of Jesus as Savior in our lives, through submission to God’s Holy Spirit, we gain victory over the flesh by self-discipline not self-denial. The goal of self-denial is to drive one’s body under the submission of the person’s will Whereas self-discipline strives to dedicate one’s life to the fulfillment of God’s will in every area of life. It’s through the practice of self-discipline believers are free to obey God and resist sin.
“Self-discipline, not self-denial, helps us to produce the fruit of godliness.”_ASA
Chronicles of ASA 