tradition vs. truth? hand vs. heart?

8/2/2019 Tradition Vs. Truth? Hand Vs. Heart?

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Word from The WORD

Tradition Vs. Truth? Hand Vs. Heart?

Have you ever felt your convictions being contradictoryto Gods commandments? At that point of conflict whathas been your response to it? Acceptance or rejection?

Sometimes when our convictions and those that we holdas precious become powerful and more important thanGods Word, it poses a big challenge to us, and we getcaught in a clumsy state in a dilemma to accept orreject!

What leads us to such point of conflict?

The Bible talks about three stages from the conversation of Jesus with thePharisees and Scribes who come to Him with a complaint. Read Mark 7:1-

23.

First, observing the tradition (Mark 7:3)

Second, teaching human precepts as doctrines (Mark 7:7)

Third, rejecting the commandment of God in order to keep yourtradition (Mark 7:9)

When some principle, methodology, style (ofdressing, preaching, singing, etc.), spiritual

experience, etc. attracts us, we tend to followit and the source (person or book or any othermedium) from where we receive(d) it. Incourse of time it becomes our regularobservance and being strongly convicted we start recommending it webecome ardent propagators and teachers of it. It is at this point when weare confronted by Gods Word and are posed with the challenge to change we reject Gods commandment! You abandon the commandment ofGod and hold to human tradition (Mark 7:8)

Because our traditional or customary observance and convictionhas become more dear to us and change becomes difficult.

Born in a Catholic cum Hindu family I have had this experience. At theCatholic church, traditions that were handed down forcenturies were more important than the word of God. (Mark 7:13). (I havewritten were, because I hear and see a lot of changes taking place withinthe Catholic church, where the laity and the lay are now open enough toremove traditional practices to pave way for Gods Word to gainimportance.) Since most of my relatives are Hindus, they used to take meto Hindu temples for worship, very often, when I was a kid. Where I have

witnessed lots of ritual washings; the washing of legs (as the temple isconsidered a sacred place), bathing of the idols, etc.

Author: Mariyosh J [email protected] Word from The WORD
mailto:[email protected]://mariyoshwordfromtheword.blogspot.com/mailto:[email protected]://mariyoshwordfromtheword.blogspot.com/


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Word from The WORD

The conflict can be physical (observances), ideological, doctrinal, etc.

But how do we safeguard ourselves from such conflicts?

Such conflicts are inevitable, but we need tobe

always open to change when we are confronted byGods Word. Secondly, the Bible needs to be our

foundation and not any other book or preaching or teaching. And as thebelievers at Berea we need to search the Scriptures daily to find outwhether these things are so (based on Acts 17:11 NKJV)

Jesus also talks about one another important factor so central to thisconflict.

The Pharisees were so close to the truth yet drifted away from it. Thepoint of the matter is defilement; but the Pharisees laid stress on the

washing of the exterior and gave no attention to the interior.

They keep talking about the hands (Mark 7:2, 5) whereas Jesus lays theimportance on the heart (Mark 7:19, 21)

We are living in a success-driven, success-centric world where peopletend to measure the value of a person from how successful one is. Incourse of pursuing success, less or no importance is given to the heart. Jesus said: For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evilthoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness,wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride,

foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man.(Mark 7:21-23)

More than what I do, with what intention I do matters. More thanwhat I speak with what intention I speak matters!

What is motivating our actions and talks today? Let us introspect.

Heart matters most than the hands! The attitude matters mostthan the act!!



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Word from The WORD

We need to constantly check whether we aremotivated by evil thoughts or wickedness or deceitor pride or envy, etc.

Though the work and the ministry that we are

involved in may flourish, our heart may not be right.We need to constantly check the condition of ourheart. Though the disciples witnessed two greatmiracles at the hands of Jesus and were part of it (aswe read in Mark 6:30-52), the Bible says in Mark 6:52, For they had notunderstood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened. Andeven after listening to Jesus discourse in Mark 7 and after witnessing themiracle in Mark 8:1-12, they were in the same state: And, Jesus beingaware of it, said to them, Why do you reason because you have nobread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart stillhardened?

What is the state of our heart today? Are we fighting against the truth soas to hold on to our traditions, because it is a matter of our prestige andreputation? Even after being convicted by the Holy Spirit several times,are we not willing to let go, to change?

Let us check our heart and attitude today and everyday and pray that theLord may melt our heart and make it sensitive to His Spirit and voice. Letus be open enough to let go of our traditions and that which we areholding as precious, so as to obey the Word!

Change my heart Oh God, make it ever true,Change my heart Oh God, may I be like You;

You are the Potter, I am the clay,Mould me and make me, this is what I pray.

__________________

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Your love has melted my heart.Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Your love has melted my heart.


tradition vs. truth? hand vs. heart?

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