In today’s program I discuss how many of us are blinded by tradition. We do things one way because that’s the way we’ve always done them. We simply accept what we are told and rarely question it. Being blinded by tradition is something that I believe is also part of the reason Christianity is slowly dying in the West.

The message is based around the Gospel of Mark Chapter 7 verses 1-20. Jesus takes on the Pharisees, who have been blinded by tradition. They refuse to truly understand or teach the word of God. They insist that the people follow their teachings, or at least their interpretation of the Laws of Moses. The Pharisees insist that it has to be their way or the highway. The initial issue stems from the Pharisees watching the disciples eat. They were certain that the disciples were disobeying the law. Jesus points out to them that it’s not what comes in from the outside that defiles a person. A person is defiled by what they spew forth.

In verse 20 Mark writes  “And He was saying, “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man.”  He then explains “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.”

When the strict rules of past traditions blind us to the world we live in today.  We behave as sheep and never ask God if the teachings we hear are correct.  If we repeat without thought, what others tell us; then we are living a life blinded by tradition and often a life without God. It is easy to be lead astray by very persuasive preachers and politicians. These are people who do not back up their message with the truth of what Jesus taught. Pray for guidance, pray for the ability to discern whether or not the tradition you are being asked to follow is truly what God wants for you. Peace

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