5 Ways to Stop Drifting

By Dr. Spencer R. Fusselman

If you walk into a bookstore or scroll through social media, you are bombarded with a singular message: You are missing something. You need this diet to be healthy, this philosophy to be wise, this political stance to be moral, or this secret knowledge to be spiritual. It is the oldest marketing trick in the book—create a void, and then sell the filler.

Sadly, this mindset often walks right through the doors of the church. We start to believe in a "Jesus Plus" theology. We think, "Sure, Jesus saved me, but if I really want to be mature, I need Jesus plus this new emotional experience," or "Jesus plus this strict set of traditions." But the Apostle Paul, writing to the Colossians, shatters this illusion. He argues a simple, profound truth: You cannot add to a glass that is already full.

Paul begins by reminding us where the good stuff is actually hidden. He says that in Christ are hidden "all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge". Note the word all. It’s not that Jesus has the "religious" stuff and the world has the "intellectual" stuff. Jesus is the incarnation of truth itself.

We often act like the natural man, trying to find God through our own intellect or research. We treat philosophy—which simply means the love of wisdom—as a ladder we climb to find God. But human philosophy is often just a fancy way of saying "man’s attempt to find answers apart from revelation". It exalts human reason above God. But Paul reminds us that true treasures aren't found in man's best ideas; they are found in a relationship with Christ.

So, if the truth is in Jesus, why do we wander off? Because the enemy is a master of "persuasive words". Think of a defense lawyer representing a guilty client. The lawyer doesn't stand up and say, "Yeah, he did it, but let him go." No, he spins a narrative. He says, "Look at this man. He walks his kids to school. He contributes to society." It sounds great, it sounds plausible, but it lacks the core truth.

Satan does the same. He doesn't come with obvious lies. He comes with "Jesus Plus." He says, "You know, the Bible is great, but don't you want to be really spiritual? Don't you want the secret knowledge?" He uses enticing arguments to draw us away from the simplicity of the Gospel.

To combat this, Paul gives us a powerful image: we are to be "rooted and built up" in Christ. In New Mexico, we know all about tumbleweeds. When the wind blows—and it always blows—the tumbleweeds roll everywhere. Why? Because they have no root system. Paul warns us not to be spiritual tumbleweeds, tossed to and fro by every new doctrine or cool idea that comes along.

Instead, we are to be like trees rooted in good soil. When a tree is rooted, the wind doesn't destroy it; the wind actually strengthens it. The resistance causes the root system to go deeper. If you are building your life on the "solid rock" of Christ, no storm of philosophy or tragedy will collapse you. But if you are building on the sinking sand of human tradition, you are one storm away from disaster.

Paul also warns us to beware of "empty deceit" and the "tradition of men". Tradition isn't inherently bad—it’s good to wash your hands before you eat! But it becomes dangerous when we elevate a tradition to the level of God’s Word.

We see this when people say, "I know what the Bible says, but I believe...". That phrase is a spiritual death sentence. It means we are placing our feelings or our traditions above the revelation of God. We create "broken cisterns" that can't hold water, drinking from the stagnant pools of worldly approval when we have the Living Water of Christ available to us.

The climax of Paul’s argument is in verse 9: "For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily". The Greek word for fullness is Pleroma. It means the sum total of all that God is. Jesus isn't a "piece" of God. He isn't a "version" of God. He is the complete, bodily expression of the Almighty. And here is the kicker: "And you are complete in Him".

If the Fullness is in Jesus, and Jesus is in you, then you are full. You don't need to chase the next spiritual fad. You don't need to earn your status through legalism. You don't need to unlock a secret level of knowledge. You have everything you need for life and godliness right now.

The test of every philosophy, every sermon, and every book you read is this: Where does it place Christ?. Does it make Him a stepping stone, or does it recognize Him as the Cornerstone? Because if you have Him, you are complete. Stop fighting for what you already possess.

5 Ways to Live Out Your Completeness

Knowing you are "complete in Christ" is one thing; living like it is another. Here are five practical ways to apply the truth of Colossians 2 to your week.

1. Check Your "Inputs" Paul warns us to beware of "persuasive words" and "empty deceit". We are constantly consuming content—podcasts, news, social media—that sells us a worldview. This week, take an audit of what you are listening to. Ask yourself: Does this message align with the preeminence of Christ, or is it trying to sell me a version of "the good life" that ignores Him? If a source consistently makes you feel "less than" or fearful, it might be time to unplug from it.

2. Practice "Rooting" Habits You can't survive the storm if you are a tumbleweed. To be "rooted and built up," you need consistent nourishment. Commit to one specific "rooting" habit this week that isn't just about checking a box. It could be spending 10 minutes in silence before you check your phone, memorizing one verse (like Colossians 2:10), or journaling your prayers. The goal isn't legalism; it's stability.

3. The Thanksgiving Test Pastor Steve notes that "abounding in faith" is linked with "thanksgiving" and that thanksgiving is a mark of maturity. Complaining is often a sign that we don't believe God is enough for us in the moment. Challenge yourself to a "Complaint-Free Day." Every time you are tempted to grumble about the weather, your job, or your spouse, stop and name three things you are thankful for instead. This shifts your focus from what you lack to what you have in Christ.

4. Identify Your "Jesus Plus" We all have a subtle "Jesus Plus" lurking in our hearts—whether it is Jesus plus financial security, or Jesus plus being perceived as intellectual. Identify the thing you are relying on to make you feel secure or successful. Confess it as an idol, and remind yourself that if you have Christ, you have the "Head of all principality and power" on your side. You are complete without the "plus."

5. Stand Your Ground in Community Paul prays for the believers to be "knit together in love" because isolation makes us vulnerable. You cannot be a "lone ranger" Christian and expect to stand against the wiles of the enemy. This week, reach out to another believer—not just to hang out, but to encourage them. Share what you are learning, ask for prayer, or simply remind them of who they are in Jesus. When we stand together in "good order," the enemy's persuasive arguments lose their power.