In Lesson 71, we embark on a thought-provoking exploration into the “Danger of the Traditions of Men.” Throughout history, cultures and religions have developed customs, rituals, and traditions that can deeply enrich our lives and spiritual experiences.
However, it is also vital to recognize that not all traditions are inherently beneficial, and some can lead us away from the true essence of our faith and spirituality.
In this lesson 71: danger of the traditions of men, we shall delve into the wisdom of discerning between valuable traditions and those that may hinder our spiritual growth.
We will reflect upon the words of sages and spiritual leaders who have cautioned against empty rituals and traditions that distance us from our spiritual path.
Lesson 71: Danger Of The Traditions Of Men
In the study of this week is a dialogue between the Scribes and Pharisees on one hand and the Lord Jesus Christ on the other.
The Scribes and Pharisees make themselves perpetual antagonists of the Lord. They came with a critical, judgmental spirit accusing the Lord Jesus Christ because of His disciples. Quickly they point out what seems to be a ‘speck’ in the disciples’ eyes while they had “beams” in their own eyes.
“And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye but considerest not the beam that is in thy own eye?” (Matthew 7:3)
The critical, censorious, judgmental nature in these scribes and Pharisees often makes them use the microscope to magnify what, to them, is a fault in others while they use a telescope on theirs. This is the problem with complainers and critics.
Scribes And Pharisees, A Description
To understand the reasons for the critical and judgmental spirit of the Scribes and Pharisees, we need to know who they are.
The Pharisees were a group within Judaism (the religion of the Jews) who first came into prominence during the 2nd century B.C.
They were laymen anxious to spread the Jewish way of life as a definite and strict discipline covering the whole of human activity.
In some ways, they were a ‘puritan’ group within Judaism. The word ‘Pharisees’ means separated. Their manner of life was to put on a ‘holier than thou’ attitude. They were righteous in their own sight while they despised others. Jesus Christ gave an apt description of the Pharisees in a parable.
“Two men went into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a Publican. The Pharisee prayed… God I thank Thee that I am not as other men are …” (Luke 18: 10,11)
The Scribes (also called lawyers) were teachers of the law. Not all of them were Pharisees but they were theorists about the Law which the Pharisees aimed to obey rigorously.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PHARISEES
Firstly, the Pharisees are the strictest observers of the Mosaic ritual and they boast in doing so. Secondly, they are also zealous of the tradition of the elders. Thirdly, they are outwardly moral.
Jesus Christ was unsparing in denouncing this in them: unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess” (Matthew 23:25).
Fourthly, they are self-righteous and want their opinions to be a standard to others. Fifthly, they are active in proselytizing (or making people accept their beliefs).
CHRIST’S ANSWER TO THE QUERY
In answer to the question of why His disciples eat with unwashed hands Jesus said: Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? For God commanded saying, Honour thy father and mother and he that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
But ye whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, it is a gift by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.”These Pharisees and Scribes invalidated the commandments of God for the sake of their traditions and the ideas of people.
TRADITIONS OF MEN
These traditions did not occur in the Old Testament but in between the two testaments. The Rabbis, in explanation of the Old Testament, added the traditions.
These traditions were handed down from teacher to pupil and by Jesus’ day, had assumed a place alongside scripture.
The Lord Jesus Christ was unequivocal in condemning this equation of human commentary with divine revelation. Believers must be on alert not to nullify the word of God because of tradition, popular ideas, present-day cultural norms or holding on to the traditions of men – religious but not righteous; sanctimonious but not saved; hypocritical but not holy.
In Bible times these traditions of men include ceremonial washing of hands before food, ablutions, keeping of some holy days. All these the Apostle Paul described as having a form of godliness but denied the powers thereof.
THINGS CONDEMNED IN THE PHARISEES
In condemning the Pharisees for their shift of emphasis, Jesus pointed out, first, their lack of honour for their parents.
“For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift by whatsoever thou mightiest be profited by me; And honor not his father or his mother, he shall be free.
Thus have made the commandments of God of none effect by your tradition” The duty of children to parents as encapsulated in the fifth commandment is honoring them, which includes providing for them. Thus it is implied that failure to provide for them is like cursing them.
The true essence of religious service is love but the Pharisees had the wrong opinion that if they use their resources for the priests and neglect their filial obligations they are free.
Furthermore, the Lord condemned the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. They honor God with their lips but their heart is far. Their religion is vain.
They make an outward show of it as men-pleasers. God, the true judge, knows the heart of men. He is omniscient and so He can detect deceit lurking in the innermost parts of man’s being. Hypocrites boast much and do less. They are one thing in the church and another in the world.
They live by double standards. By their hypocrisy, the Pharisees miss the essence of true religion. James wrote: “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction and to keep himself unspotted from the world (James 1:27).
A holy life and a charitable heart show a true religion. A truly religious person will do everything as in the presence of God. Man’s theatricals and outward show of piety may dazzle men but not the Lord. Jesus gave a sad verdict on their religion: “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men”.
This declaration calls for sober reflection on the part of those who are actively religious in those things that appeal to men and miss the essence of true religion.
The Commandments Of Men
The doctrines taught by the elders were the commandments of men. These people were not balanced in their emphasis.
They bring in extra-Biblical revelations. Tradition of men is the devil’s red herring. Its intent is to make believers chase the shadow rather than the substance. All religious acts or patterns of worship inconsistent with scripture should be avoided.
Examples of such are the subtle approval of traditional naming ceremony methods, ceremonising birthdays, bazaar sales, special garments for worship, traditional chieftaincy titles being introduced into the church, native burial rites, religious baths, burning of candle, incense, the celebration of Christmas with all the trappings of heathenism, etc.
The introduction of rituals such as Lent and Ash Wednesday is a thing the Lord did not command. Also in modern times, Western cultures such as women putting on the clothes of men, is at variance with God’s express command on dressing.
Timely Against Traditions Of Men
God told Moses to build according to the pattern that was shown to him upon the mountain. God is not happy with those given to change(Proverbs 24:21).
The Almighty God therefore does not want men to guide their lives according to traditions. Many things the Bible did not teach are operating in many churches today. These traditions of men dictate against holiness, to satisfy the lust of the flesh.
THE DANGERS OF THE TRADITIONS OF MEN
Nadab and Abihu (sons of Aaron) offered strange fire before the Lord and were devoured. “And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer and put fire therein, and put in incense thereon and offered strange fire before the Lord which he commanded them not.
And there went out fire from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord” (Leviticus 10: 1,2).
Deviating from God’s purpose in worship is like offering strange fire and this might incur God’s wrath as seen in the example of Nadab and Abihu.
Those who follow the traditions of men also stand the risk of being cut off from the midst of God’s people. “For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people”(Leviticus 18:29). The Lord warned through the mouth of the Prophet
Isaiah thus: “Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men.
Therefore behold, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people….. for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid” (Isaiah 29: 13, 14).
Without mincing words, the Lord authoritatively declared that the conscience of a believer should not be injured by piling on him weights of religious observances which have nothing to do with matters of the kingdom.
Thorough Cleansing Of The Heart Necessary
Jesus Christ, the greatest Teacher, taught the multitude on the necessity of heart-cleansing. He taught that defilement oozes out of the heart of man.
The Pharisees were offended by His teachings. Some make themselves of sorts in the church today. God has no other thing to represent His glory on earth but the church.
If anything wants to compromise His stand in the church, He will root that thing up. There are times a preacher needs to root out doctrines, beliefs, teachings, and religious practices that are not in agreement with the clear teaching of the Word of God.
If compromise or self-will is in the congregation and is allowed it will affect the Church of God. Jesus’ comment is that the Pharisees are blind guides. Such pose great danger to the body of Christ.
“Now the spirit speaketh expressly that in the latter times, some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils”(1 Timothy 4:1).
In conclusion, the Lord gave a catalog of evil that proceeds out of the heart of man. The urge to sin comes from the heart. James the Apostle wrote: “Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin” (James 1:14,15).
The Bible warns: “Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). “For… out of the heart… proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts…These…defile the man”(Mark 7:21- 23).
Since these sins defile, then, in essence, they preclude anyone involved in them from entering into the kingdom of Heaven.. “And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth….”(Revelation 21:27a).
FAQS
Question 1: In what ways are complainers and critics like the Pharisees?
Question 2a: Who are the Pharisees?
Question 2b: Who are the Scribes?
Question 3: What aspect of the Pharisees’s character did the Lord condemn in Matthew 23:25?
Question 4: Explain, citing examples from the Bible and present time, what the traditions of men are.
Question 5: Why is holiness very important in our worship of and service to God?
Question 6: What danger does following the traditions of men pose to the believer personally and the church corporately?
Question 7: What is the cure for heart defilement?
Question 8: What doom awaits those who are defiled?
Conclusion
As we conclude Lesson 71, we have explored the profound significance of discerning the “Danger of the Traditions of Men” in our spiritual journeys.
Traditions can be a beautiful tapestry of culture and faith, connecting us to our heritage and spirituality. However, we have learned that not all traditions are inherently beneficial, and some can become obstacles that distance us from the core principles of our beliefs.
This lesson serves as a call to introspection, urging us to evaluate our traditions and rituals with discernment. Let us embrace those traditions that foster spiritual growth, compassion, and unity, while simultaneously being willing to shed those that have become empty or divisive.
