The Commandments of Men

I have always been very independent and rebellious.  One of the consequences of that is that I have a tendency to be skeptical and ask a lot of questions.  Maybe that is why these Scriptures seem to resonate with me.  What all three show is that man has a tendency to twist words to his advantage. 

Mark 7:5(NKJV)

5Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?”

Mark 7:6-7(NKJV)

6He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:      ‘This people honors Me with their lips,     But their heart is far from Me.

7    And in vain they worship Me,      Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ £

Mark 7:9-13(NKJV)

9He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. 

10For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’;£ and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ £ 

11But you say, ‘If a man says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban”—’ (that is, a gift to God), 

12then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, 

13making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.”

The first two Scriptures warn us that man will have a tendency to try and substitute his word and traditions for God's Word.  As you can see this was something that was written about both in the Old Testament and the New Testament.

The last Scripture goes more in depth and shows just how man will rationalize ungodly actions and try to wrap them in a fake cloak of Godliness. 

So how do we guard against being deceived by the "traditions of the elders" and the "doctrines of men"?  By being in God's Word daily!  If you are in God's Word reading it for yourself it is a lot harder to be deceived and led astray.

Personal request:  I had an old friend contact me yesterday.  This friend is experiencing a lot of tribulation in his life and is in a lot of emotional pain.  Please pray for my friend that God will comfort him and that my friend will begin to feel God working in his life and that my friend will begin to feel hope again.  Thanks!