People in this world have all sorts of rules they think will deliver us from corruption and lead us to a better life.  Some of the rules they live by are mere superstitions.  For example, some people in my country never walk under a ladder.  They think if they do so, it will bring them bad luck.  I have walked under ladders many time.  It never brought me bad luck.  Even so, many people live by that rule.  This rule seems harmless, but when people follow a lot of rules like this they struggle under unnecessary burdens.

As a church planter, Paul wanted to set people free from human superstitions, religious practices, and harsh rules that seemed smart but did nothing to set people free to enjoy their new life in Christ.