The Traditions of Men

Mark 7:8-13 NIV Red Letter Bible

You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.

And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!  For Moses 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 Corban (that is, devoted to God)— then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”

This passage is in red because it is Jesus speaking. This subject is very much on my heart today as it is on God’s heart. I was listening to the Late Prophet Kim Clement on YouTube, and he instructed the listeners to close their eyes and perceive what they should pray about. This is what I heard. “You make the word of God of none effect by the traditions of men. Blog about it.” So, I am writing this blog.

This is a stronghold that needs to be torn down. We all have strongholds of tradition that make God’s Words and promises of no effect in our lives or at the very least less effective. How do I know? I see people in the church living a life less than what our Heavenly Father promises us.  My brothers and sisters get sick, live in poverty and lack, and have all kinds of relationship problems and other issues plaguing them. Even I have gotten sick recently.

Jesus came that we might have life and life to the full.

John 10:10 NASB The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly.

What does an abundant or full life look like? I believe it is walking in divine health and having everything we need for life and godliness. It is walking in our authority in Jesus casting out devils, healing the sick, raising the dead, cleansing the lepers, leading people to Jesus, and baptizing them in His name. It is fulfilling our calling and destiny to disciple nations and teach the saints to do the work of the ministry. It looks like prosperity in every area of our life.

Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. 3 John 2

It is multiplication. It is righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

In Mark 7, Jesus talked about a couple of areas they had strongholds of tradition in that was canceling out the Word of God, but he also said, “And you do many things like that.”

It is, therefore, necessary that each of us prayerfully examine our lives and ask the Lord to show us the traditions we have that are nullifying or making God’s Word and promises less effective in our lives and even keeping others out of the Kingdom. What strongholds do you need to tear down? What traditions do you need to be willing to give up so you can walk in the fullness and abundance and divine health that Jesus came to give you and fulfill your destiny? What must you be willing to let go of, so that others can come into the Kingdom?

Leviticus 19:14 MSG “Don’t curse the deaf; don’t put a stumbling block in front of the blind; fear your God. I am God.

A whole blog can be written on this scripture, but think for now spiritually deaf and blind. Jesus said…

Matthew 18:7 NASB “Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to the person through whom the stumbling block comes!

The first step might be to ask that the Lord makes you willing to see and give up those traditions for the sake of a lost and dying world, for the spiritually deaf and blind in your sphere of influence.

Philippians 2:13 NASB “…for it is God who is at work in you, both to desire and to work for His good pleasure.”

The second step is to listen. When the Holy Spirit brings something to your mind, find the scriptures relating to that. Be willing to know and understand God’s will on that thing that is tradition to you, but the Lord is asking you to give up. He will help you, if you are willing and choose to have an obedient heart.

Let’s give up those traditions that are giving open doors to the enemy in our lives and/or creating hindrances and stumbling blocks for others.

Ephesians 4:25-27 MSG

What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself.

Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life.

This passage is talking about lies vs truth and anger, but it also speaks generally about not giving the devil a foothold or open door into your life. Ask yourself which is more important: that tradition or the health and prosperity of you and your family? Is it worth the sickness and loss of finances and relationship issues and difficulties that you are giving the devil permission to attack you with? Is it worth keeping others from accepting Jesus and being born again?

Think about it dear ones and I pray you are willing to give up any tradition that is allowing the enemy to steal, kill and destroy in your life or use you to trip up others. It is my desire that you prosper and be in health even as your soul prospers. It is my desire to see you walking in total victory in every area of your life. It is my desire to see His Kingdom come and His Will be done in us and through us. What about you?

Shalom until next time.