What practical steps can we take to prioritize God's Word over human rules? Seeing the Warning in Colossians 2:22 “‘These will all perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings.’” Paul exposes the temporary nature of rules that originate in human authority. They look pious, but they wither quickly because they lack the life-giving power of God’s Word. Why God’s Word Must Trump Human Tradition • Human rules shift with culture; Scripture stands forever (Isaiah 40:8). • Human rules enslave; Scripture sets free (John 8:31-32). • Human rules focus on outward performance; Scripture transforms the heart (Hebrews 4:12). Practical Steps to Keep Scripture First 1. Schedule Daily Intake • Treat the Bible like essential nourishment—set a fixed time and place. • Start with a manageable plan (one chapter a day in the Gospels or Psalms) and grow from there. 2. Run Every Opinion Through the “Berean Filter” • Acts 17:11: The Bereans “examined the Scriptures daily” to verify teaching. • Before accepting any new idea—sermon, article, podcast—pause and ask, “Where is that written?” 3. Memorize Key Passages • Psalm 119:11: “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” • Choose verses that counter common man-made pressures (e.g., Galatians 5:1 when confronted with legalism). 4. Practice Scripture-Shaped Decision-Making • Keep verses visible (phone lock screen, sticky notes). • When faced with a choice, consult related passages before settling on action (Proverbs 3:5-6). 5. Cultivate a Listening Posture in Community • Meet regularly with believers who open their Bibles together (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Encourage one another to cite Scripture, not personal preference, when giving counsel. 6. Replace Empty Ritual with Obedient Action • James 1:22: “Be doers of the word and not hearers only.” • Evaluate church and personal traditions: Do they lead to obedience or merely maintain routine? 7. Guard the Gospel’s Simplicity • Galatians 1:6-9 warns against adding to the gospel. • Any rule that burdens believers beyond repentance and faith in Christ must be rejected. Supporting Passages That Reinforce the Priority • Matthew 15:8-9—Jesus calls worship based on human rules “vain.” • Mark 7:8—“You have let go of the commandment of God to hold on to the tradition of men.” • 2 Timothy 3:16-17—Scripture equips “for every good work,” leaving no gap for man-made add-ons. • Luke 11:28—“Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” Living Out the Difference When God’s Word occupies the driver’s seat, human regulations fall to the curb. Our lives begin to display joyful freedom, clear convictions, and genuine worship that endures—because everything is anchored in what God has spoken, not what people have invented. |
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