How can we ensure our practices align with God's will, not just tradition? Scripture Spotlight: Matthew 15:3 “Jesus replied, ‘And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?’” The Heartbeat of the Passage • Jesus confronts religious leaders who elevated human customs above divine commands. • His question slices through outward respectability to expose inner priorities. • The issue isn’t tradition itself—many traditions are helpful—but any practice that competes with clear biblical instruction must yield to God’s Word. Diagnosing Tradition vs. Truth • Check the source – Does the practice flow directly from Scripture, or is it merely “the way we’ve always done it”? • Examine the fruit – God’s commands produce holiness and love (John 14:15; 1 John 5:3). – Human traditions, when elevated, often generate pride, judgment, or spiritual stagnation (Colossians 2:8). • Compare with the full counsel of God – Scripture interprets Scripture. A tradition that conflicts with even one clear passage fails the test. – “All Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Guardrails for Staying in God’s Will • Saturate life in the Word – Daily reading keeps discernment sharp (Psalm 119:105). • Pray for wisdom and humility – God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). • Invite accountability – Fellow believers can spot blind spots we miss (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Hold fast to the essentials, keep a loose grip on preferences – Essentials: the gospel, biblical commands, clear moral teachings. – Preferences: musical styles, service formats, cultural customs. • Test practices regularly – Ask, “Is this building obedience, love, and Christ-likeness, or just maintaining comfort?” Living It Out Today • In church life – Evaluate ministry programs: Are they Scripture-driven or schedule-driven? – Keep communion, baptism, and preaching anchored in biblical meaning, not empty ritual. • In family life – Establish traditions (e.g., meal prayers, Scripture memorization) that reinforce—not replace—the Word. • In personal devotion – Let Scripture, not habit, dictate prayer content, confession, and worship focus. • In cultural engagement – Uphold God’s commands even when popular norms shift (Romans 12:2). – Show grace without compromising truth, following Jesus’ example (John 1:14). By measuring every belief and practice against the unfailing standard of God’s Word, we guard our hearts from empty tradition and joyfully align with His perfect will. |
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