Colossians 2:18

Let no man beguile you [katabrabeueto] of your reward in a voluntary humility (forced self-effacement) and worshipping of angels, intruding into [embateuo] those things which he hath [“not” is not found in the Greek] seen (Paul is taking his stand on visions), vainly (emptily) puffed up (inflated by pride) by his fleshly mind (sensual imagination).

Definition: katabrabeueto: defraud you, declare you ineligible

Definition: embateuo: scrutinizing minutely

Many of those who were spreading false doctrine in Colosse, had actually seen a vision, been spoken to by an angel, or had seen into the realm of evil spirits.

Seeing visions, being ministered to by an angel, and seeing into the realm of evil spirits are all part of the Church Age (Acts 2:17, 9:10-12, 10”1-3, 9-11). The problem was that doctrine was being formed around these experiences.

Any vision that does not line up with the Word of God is to be thrown out. The Word is always the final authority (2 Peter 1:19). Even if an angel were to appear and reveal something contrary to the Word, the angel is to be cursed (Galatians 1:8). Visions and words from angels do not form doctrine. Doctrine comes from the Word of God. The Word of God must be used to confirm the appearance of angels, visions or any manifestation of the Holy Spirit.

Often an individual who has had a vision will scrutinize the vision over and over again, instead of scrutinizing the Word. And after dissecting the vision many times, the vision ends up being bigger than it was in the beginning. The imagination paints a picture greater than God had originally intended. Many books and ministries today are founded on visions or encounters with angels or demons. Instead of building up believers in the Word, they confuse the issue with personal stories or testimonies. Because the Word is replaced by manifestations, confusion results as many Christians try to build their lives on someone’s else’s experience.