OBEDIENCE OVER TRADITIONS
“Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’ But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is ‘devoted to God,’ they are not to ‘honor their father or mother’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.” Matthew 15:3-6 NIV
There is a subtle danger in spiritual maturity where men begin to trust in systems more than God’s Word.
The Pharisees had developed a religious loophole. By labeling resources as “devoted to God,” they excused themselves from caring for their parents. It sounded holy. It appeared sacrificial. It even carried religious language. Yet Jesus exposes it for what it was, a way to avoid obedience while appearing devout.
They did not reject God’s command openly. They simply redefined it through tradition. And that is often how disobedience creeps into the believer’s life, not through blatant rebellion, but rationalized spirituality.
We can attend church faithfully yet neglect mercy at home. We can give generously to ministry while withholding love from those God has directly entrusted to us.
We can serve publicly while failing privately. All the while convincing ourselves that our “devotion to God” excuses our neglect of His plain commands. But God is not honored by offerings that are used to bypass obedience.
True devotion never competes with God’s Word. It submits to it. Jesus reminds us that no tradition, habit, or religious reasoning has the authority to override what God has clearly spoken. Where God has commanded, we do not get to reinterpret.
The test of genuine spirituality is not how spiritual something sounds, but how faithfully it aligns with Scripture. Praise Him.
Prayer: My Father,I thank you for this wisdom. My heart is tender to your Word for it guards me from hiding behind spiritual habits that excuse disobedience. Teach me to honor you not only in what looks holy, but in what is plainly obedient. Let my devotion never silence your commands. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
CI.
RELATED RESOURCES
• Exodus 20:12
• Titus 1:14
• Micah 6:6
