Do not let philosophy set your fate

The "elemental spirits" in this verse were not abstract principles to the people first reading it. At Colossae they were grouped with the angels and thought to control the heavenly realm, human access to God, and a person's destiny.
People tried to keep them satisfied through severe treatment of the body and visionary experiences. Paul's answer is not a better technique. It is Christ.
Scripture links:
- Colossians 2:8 - "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."
- Colossians 2:18 - The same problem again: asceticism, angels, and visions.
Nothing unseen holds your future. Measure every teaching by whether it leads you to Christ.