God's Glory Church

“Neglecting the commandment of God, you cling to the traditions of men.” — Mark 7:8

While cooking, the young woman cut a piece of meat in half and put it in a large pot. When her husband asked why she was doing it, the woman answered: “Because that’s what my mother does.”

At the same time, her husband’s question aroused her curiosity, and she asked her mother about the meaning of the tradition. She was amazed to learn that her mother had cut the meat to fit in her little pot. Since my daughter had many large pots, there was no need to cut the meat.

Many traditions begin with the need to do something, but in the future they are followed only because “we are used to doing it that way.” It is quite natural to stick to human traditions; the Pharisees did the same (Mark 7:1-2). They were annoyed if someone violated at least one of their religious rules.

The Lord Jesus said to the Pharisees: “Forsaking the commandment of God, you hold to the traditions of men” (v. 8). He showed that tradition should never replace biblical wisdom. A sincere desire to follow God (vv. 6-7) is connected with the attitude of the heart, and not with observing external rituals.

It is good if we constantly evaluate traditions, what we hold dear to our hearts and what we do with religious zeal. What God has revealed to us and what is truly necessary must always be superior to tradition.

What traditions do you personally follow? To what extent do they agree with what is said in the Holy Scriptures?

Heavenly Father, help me to obey Your commandments and to renounce all traditions that contradict the Scriptures.

Author: Katara Patton