Musings from a Theo-Geek's post on March 27, 2011, Legalism is Rooted in Insecurity is more than Legalism 101.
How to become a Legalist
1) Make rules outside the Bible.
2) Push yourself to try and keep your rules.
3) Castigate yourself when you don't keep your rules.
4) Become proud when you do keep your rules.
5) Appoint yourself as judge over other people.
6) Get angry with people who break your rules or have different rules.
7) "Beat" the losers.
Sadly, I have one more rule to add to the list from my personal experience:
8) Now that You are a legalistic, manipulative leader and You can easily control the others who follow you, You no longer have to follow your own rules! plus You can make up new rules to control the others at your whim---control and manipulation being the thing.
Legalism comes in many forms. Each form is a burden to people. Read the Word and be set free in His truth.
" ...a man is not justified by the works of the Law, but through faith in Christ Jesus."
Galations 2:16
Romans 14 discusses disputable matters - personal issues to which you are not to hold others legally bound.
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9 comments:
Sadly, that is an accurate list!
How God must weep.
No, dear, scripture tells us He laughs at the foolishness of men, and at the fools who follow them.
Anonymous, thank you for your comment. It is true that God laughs at foolish men, but because of God's character, I think we can know that He also weeps for those who are deceived and held in bondage to legalisms. May we lovingly come alongside those we know who are snared.
Jeremiah 7 in context, but particularly 7:16
http://niv.scripturetext.com/jeremiah/7.htm
The context is about rank idolaters. People who are deceived into legalistic practices while still following the Lord are not in this category. The God I follow is a compassionate God who knows people are easily deceived by false teachers. He certainly does not see them the same way as he sees idol worshipers. This post is not about non-believers, but believers who have been deceived into Pharisaical teachings.
Anonymous, thank you for your scripture reference. I understand what you mean.
I suppose in my life I typically go to mercy and compassion over judgement. For example, when Jesus answered the Pharisees, He told them to go and learn: ..."I desire compassion, and not sacrifice, for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Matthew 9:13, and then 12:7
As things in this world continue down the evil slippery slope, it will affect true Believers. We must be ready to lovingly come alongside with God's truth in His strength to reach out to others. Sometimes we will not be able to tell who is a true Believer so we must still reach out to them as it says in Jude 22 and 23. I surely do not want to give up on dear wayward ones I know.
Also,when I was blinded by devious "christian" people in the past, the Lord God snatched me out of that horrible situation! I am glad to be His handmaiden in whatever situation He calls me.
I see what you both are saying, thanks for the clarity from you both!
Anonymous, :oD I am pretty foggy sometimes so I am glad you commented.
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