Chapter 2 of Paul’s letter to the Colossians strongly warns against being made captives. How does that happen?

“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8).

The way by which many of us are imprisoned today is by an accusation that suggests a false “you,” a fake “you,” and which then prosecutes it. For example: “You are fat.” “You are stupid.” “You are ugly.” “You are lazy.” “You are dirty.” “You are sinful.” “You are far from God.” If we are induced to believe the accusation that the “you” we most truly are is any of those things, then, thinking it’s the truth, we will be deceived. And then we’ll be deceived into behaviors in keeping with lies. It’s inescapable, and no one lives well from there.

The verses surrounding Colossians 2:8 shed more light, and read this way:

6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, 10 and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;

So if there is any excess weight on the frame that you’re in, if you could benefit by taking a class or two, or if you would be rewarded by exercising a bit, that’s fine. But the real you, the one made by God Himself through faith in Christ, the you made “complete”, is forever beyond prosecution. The “you” that God made is perfectly well-off with Him, has no fat(!), is entirely brilliant and beautiful, and lives in the power and authority of God. That “you,” the real “you,” is pure, forever forgiven, and united with God Himself.

Wow.

That’s how you are, and that’s where you are. And that’s why you look at Jesus to find yourself. He’ll show you “you.” And that’s really good.