If you died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to ordinances, "Don't handle, nor taste, nor touch" (all of which perish with use), according to the precepts and doctrines of men? These things indeed appear like wisdom in self-imposed worship, humility, and severity to the body; but aren't of any value against the indulgence of the flesh. Colossians 2:20'23 WEB.In the beginning, God told Adam, "of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die" (Genesis 2:17). One chapter later, Eve told the serpent, "you shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die" (Genesis 3:3).
God hadn't said anything about touching the fruit. That was a personal preference that was added to the word of God to make it more difficult. It became part of the commandment as an "add on" item, increasing the strictness of God's original commandment. Traditions like this get added to the word of God, then taught as if they were from God.
Churches split over the type of music they feel God prefers. When really, it has nothing to do with Him at all. An acoustic guitar isn't inherently "Holy," and an electric guitar isn't inherently "Evil." My wife doesn't care for loud, high-pitched guitar riffs because they make her teeth hurt. That's a personal preference. When one of the praise teams I played with practiced, she would wait in the parking lot until it was over. While others thought it sounded fine.
I know of one church that taught that wearing neckties was a sin, but that's not from the Bible either. Sure we should dress modestly, but the rest is just personal preference (1 Timothy 2:9). Everyone thinks that God is in their political party as well, Adolf Hitler did. But if you study Daniel chapter 2, you will see that God has His own party that will eventually replace all the others. It's the same routine with what people wear, eat, and drink. We tend to feel that they will be saved as long as they are like us.
Jesus quoted Isaiah and said, "They worship Me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. For you set aside the commandment of God, and hold tightly to the tradition of men" (Mark 7:7'8).
The next time you feel yourself becoming angry over something religious, examine it and ask yourself if it's actually scriptural. Do you have a Scripture to back it up, or is it just a personal preference, a tradition that has passed down to you?
For example, if the Holy Spirit convicts you about drinking coffee and wants you to abstain from it. Then do so, but don't try and push your new personal revelation on the rest of humanity. It might just be that coffee makes you annoying and hard to get along with, and He feels you would be better off without it.
Jesus wore a robe and sandals, but I wear jeans and boots today. If Scripture doesn't give us a clear, direct commandment about it, leave it out of your doctrine. If we all did this, the body of Christ would get along a lot better.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, please get me back to the basics and keep my faith simple. Help me rightly divide Your word and discern the truth when I hear it. Guide me today and work Your perfect will in my life. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!Note: Ladies, today is Thankful Thursday at the "Ladies in Distress" group (our RHM women's group)! You are welcome to join in our weekly sharing of thankfulness for the Lord's presence and any blessings you may have experienced, big or small! "Ladies in Distress" is a private group, so if you have any problems joining, just post anywhere and we will help you :). Here is the link:
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Yes, amen Lord.
Amen
Amen.
Amen
Amen. Heavenly Father, Thank you for each new day and the blessings you provide. Amen
Amen
Amen
Amen, Father please have mercy on the people in Ukraine bring back peace in the region
Amen!
PRAISE THE LORD. Let us all pray for Ukraine. LORD, PLESE SHIELD AND PROTECT THEM AND THEIR LAND. In JE SUS NAME, AMEN
Help me and guide me always Lord, amen!
Amen Good Morning Everyone
AMEN!!! Pastor Dion! I have seen and experienced this in the church many times, It seems to be inherent in man to throw his 2 cents in, then it becomes rules, or worse yet added to biblical doctrine...bad idea. This was an awesom devotional, we are all guitay of doing this at one time or another. Staying Humble and seeking Holy Spirits guidance is the way to go. Just a great devotional we can all learn from!
Amen!!
Keep my eyes on You, Lord. Guide me and work Your perfect will in my life. Thank you. In Jesus' name, AMEN
Amen
So sensible. Amen
Praise You Lord God Almighty!
Amen!
Amen!! This is so true! So many churches that I visited, the people were very judgemental on everyone based on what they were wearing or if they were not wearing a head covering or if as a man they wore a hat or beany in church. I think we should love all of Gods people especially believers and not care about how they dress, what they wear or where they live. God loves all people so we have to try our best to love all people and not judge others by the way they dress or what side of town they live in. Also I have been to new churches to try them out and people looked at me and my husband as if took someones seat or committed some huge sin. They were not warm, or inviting and did not show the love or spirit of the Lord Jesus. What would Jesus do if he was in a church and someone new came. He would welcome them with open arms and love them no matter what they wore, what they looked like or what color their skin was. We need to love like Jesus.