How can we ensure our practices align with Scripture rather than human traditions? Anchoring Verse Mark 7:9: “He continued, ‘You have a fine way of setting aside the command of God in order to observe your tradition!’ ” Why This Matters • Jesus exposes the danger of elevating human customs above God’s clear commands. • If it happened to leaders in His day, it can happen to us—unless we stay rooted in Scripture. Warning Signs Tradition Is Creeping In • Practices defended by “we’ve always done it this way” rather than chapter and verse. • Greater concern for outward conformity than heart obedience (Mark 7:6–7). • Resistance when Scripture challenges a cherished routine. • Pressure to please culture or maintain comfort instead of honoring Christ (Colossians 2:8). Four Anchors That Keep Us Aligned with Scripture 1. Submit to the Bible as the final authority – “Every Scripture is God-breathed…” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). – We do not add or subtract (Deuteronomy 12:32). 2. Test Everything Carefully – The Bereans “examined the Scriptures daily” (Acts 17:11). – “Test all things; hold fast to what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). 3. Interpret Plainly, Obey Promptly – Take God’s Word at face value unless a passage clearly signals symbolism. – “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22). 4. Let Scripture Reform Tradition, Not Vice Versa – When a practice clashes with the text, we adjust the practice—never the text (Mark 7:13). Practical Steps for Everyday Life • Read whole books of the Bible in context; note repeated themes and direct commands. • Before adopting a new ministry idea, ask: “Where is this taught or implied in Scripture?” • Review current church programs annually with an open Bible on the table. • Encourage mutual accountability—invite others to show you any mismatch between your habits and God’s Word. • Keep Psalm 119:105 on the dashboard of decision-making: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” The Outcome When Scripture Leads • Traditions that amplify biblical truth are preserved; those that obscure it fade away. • Christ is honored, disciples mature, and the watching world sees authentic faith (John 13:35). |
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