“If you have died with Christ . . .” Colossians

These verses point out the futility of asceticism, which is the attempt to achieve holiness by rigorous self-neglect, self-denial, self-infliction, and even self-mortification. Thus, an ascetic practices rigorous self-denial in order to become more spiritual. Yes, there is a place in our Christian lives for proper care of our bodies (cf. 1 Tim 4:8). But the ascetic hopes to sanctify the soul through discipline of the body is Paul’s target for destruction.
6 Feb 22