The Power of Human Rules

2 Samuel 3; 1 Chronicles 12; Matthew 15 

“Jesus replied, ‘And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?...Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’”

Matthew 15:3, 6-9

Our religious traditions can have a powerful influence on our life. The way we worship, where we worship, how we observe communion, the ways in which we organize local churches, our practices of governance can all become more important than knowing and following Jesus. We know it’s time to examine our hearts when clinging to our traditions causes us to break fellowship with other followers of Jesus. The Pharisees had many man-made rules for every command God gave. Some have called Evangelicals, the modern Pharisees. Our security cannot be in our traditions, teachings, and human rules. Christ alone must be our foundation. The humility, love, and purity of Christ as he fulfilled the mission and will of his Father are our example. However, without the power of the Holy Spirit, we, like the Pharisees, will default to human traditions and rules in our attempt to live up to Christ’s call.

“Lord Jesus, I repent for valuing traditions and human rules more than your presence, your Word, and your Spirit.”