When Religion Is Vital

MEMORY VERSE: “He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoreth Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. Howbeit in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” —Mark 7:6,7

MARK 7:1-5, 9-15

THERE has always been a conflict between the true teachings of the Bible and the teachings of fallible men. The teachings of men when adhered to from generation to generation become traditions, and in the minds of many these traditions become of equal, or greater importance, than the inspired teachings of the Word of God. This was true in Jesus’ day, and it is true today.

This lesson has to do primarily with the traditions of ancient Jewish elders who developed teachings pertaining to the washing of hands, cups, pots, brazen vessels, and of tables. To the scribes and Pharisees of Jesus’ day the washing of these was fundamentally important in keeping the body from becoming defiled by the food which they ate.

Jesus’ answer to all this was, “There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.” (vs. 15) Jesus is here speaking of the defilement of the mind and of the heart. That which comes out of a man are his words, and words give expression to the thoughts. If one’s mind and heart are defiled with evil thoughts and motives his words not only will increase his own defilement (since expression deepens impression), but his evil words may well defile those to whom they are spoken.

James wrote, “The tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature.” (James 3:5,6) James also wrote, “The tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.”—James 3:8-10

James is correct—no one can fully tame or control the tongue. He is correct also in saying that out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. However, it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaketh, and our responsibility as Christians is to keep our hearts cleansed as fully as possible from evil things—from the spirit of envy, hatred, jealousy, and the like; and to fill our hearts and minds continually with the good thoughts of God, from his Word, so that as much as possible our words, reflecting the fullness of our hearts, will be wholesome and blessed to all who hear.

In our memory verse Jesus quotes from Isaiah 29:13. We quote the full verse: “Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept [tradition] of men.” The expression “this people” refers to those mentioned in verses 9-12 of the chapter. The spiritual vision of these had become as a book that is sealed.

Such has been the case with the great masses of those who have professed to serve the Lord in every age. These have not been able to understand the “Book,” the Word of God, because they have rendered only lip service to him, while their hearts have been removed far from the Lord. Today there is a whole new group of traditions, important among them being the eternal torture and purgatory precepts; the trinity doctrine; no salvation for unbelievers after death; the Virgin Mary traditions, etc.

Those who do not hold to and teach these traditions today are looked upon as Jesus and the apostles were in their day because they did not teach the traditions of the elders, but insisted instead on teaching the Word of God. But all this will change in God’s due time, for God will cause the wisdom of their wise men to perish. (Isa. 29:14) When God removes the “veil” of superstition that is spread over all, then “the rebuke of his people” will be taken away from off the whole earth.”—Isa. 25:6-8

QUESTIONS

What were some of the traditions taught by the scribes and Pharisees?

Can a man be defiled by his words?

What are some of the popular traditions of today?

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