It seems like one of satan's favorite tools is to take people's faith in the one, true God, and turn it into religious tradition or twisted ritual so that we lose sight of what's really important. We can get so caught up in legalities of religion and contradicting beliefs that we forget what Jesus says are the two most important commandments: 1) "Love your God with all your heart with all your soul with all your strength and with all your mind;" and 2) "love your neighbor as yourself."
Luke 10:27 NIV
When talking to the Pharisees about how they put their tradition and rituals above the commandments of God, Jesus said, "You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.'"
Matthew 15: 7-9 NIV
These things are still happening today. How can we know when what we hear is God's truth and not the wisdom of men who have become used by satan?
Wow! This is apropo to a pastoral concern of mine today. A minister is feeling condemned b/c someone criticized her and condemned her. I explained to her that Satan and not God is the accuser and condemner of Christians. I think God's love builds us up in Christ and speaks words of life....and accords with Scripture and Christian counsel.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog!