Day 75/260: Read Mark 7

Mark Twain wrote, in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, “The less there is to justify a traditional custom, the harder it is to get rid of it.”

Traditions are fine and good if we understand the basis and the basis is truth. Oftentimes, however, traditions are a hindrance rather than a help to obeying truth.

Jesus criticized the Pharisees’ traditions because they elevated their traditions to the level of—and at times contrary to—God’s revelation. Their traditions were so important to them that they were “laying aside the commandment of God” even to the point of rejection of His Word.

As a result of their man-made traditions, the Pharisees’ worship became useless. Jesus makes reference to Isaiah 29:13 when He says, “This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrine the commandments of men.”

May we ever follow God’s Word and test the teachings of men by the inspired revelation. Be like the Bereans in your study, who “received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11).

Memory (Recite to a friend without looking)

Mark 4:25. “For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”

Pray

Pray for wisdom to follow God’s Word and reject teachings that contradict what He has revealed.