“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1)
The Pharisees were people who made up rules that were based on the Bible so that the rules themselves would keep people from sinning. People couldn’t be trusted to do the right thing and follow their conscience. We all know how Jesus felt about all those rules. He was violently opposed to them.
The Pharisees continually criticized people for things that they felt convinced were sins. Jesus called the people who kept the rules and looked down on the people who didn’t “brood of vipers,” “whitewashed walls,” and “tombs of dead men’s bones.” Jesus was venomous towards people who made up rules that were based on the Bible. He didn’t want those rules in place. He wanted us to yoke ourselves to the Spirit of God, and where the Spirit of God is, there is freedom. (2 Corinthians 3:17)
Well-meaning modern-day Pharisees, especially in the homeschool movement, have been putting more and more anvils on people’s backs, so much so that walking by the Spirit no longer is the main thing. Here are some of the rules:
- Get rid of your TV.
- Have the largest family possible, even when it means defying your husband.
- Don’t wear clothes that draw men’s attention. Wear frumpy clothes, even if your husband is not pleased with the way you dress.
- Don’t play any video games.
- Alcohol is sin, even if Jesus drank it.
- You must have family devotions, or the husband is not godly. There is no other way to lead spiritually besides this dictated, approved form.
Whoever does these things, boasts, making the people who don’t do these things feel like they are less spiritual, even if God has convicted them of the opposite. I’ve seen many people feeling deeply defeated after attending homeschool conferences, because so much is demanded of them, and the speakers have lost sight of the fact that Christ came to set us free, not to put us into bondage.
If God has actually convicted you of these things, you need to obey God. I’ve seen godly people on both sides of each of these issues. You are free to yield to God.
Modern-day Pharisees make up these rules because they correctly see idolatry in the general population in each of these areas. What they don’t understand is that when you yield freely to Christ, all the heart issues are taken care of. Seek first the kingdom of God, and all the rest will follow. We will be doing the right thing if we are led by the Spirit.
The sad tragedy is that all these rules bog people down and drive people away from God and to a form of self-righteousness where people list all the things they’ve given up and compare notes with other people. It gives people a false sense of superiority while pushing down people who so desperately want to follow Christ but give up because they feel continuously defeated.
“For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” (Galatians 6:3)
“You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.” (Galatians 5:4)
Tags: Christian Living, freedom, legalism, Pharisees
this is so good. i grew up in a legalistic church so it’s freeing now, to come away from that. although i tend to see it show up in my life here and there. it’s a journey. and praise God for grace!!!
Yes, praise God that He allows us to yield to Him, and that is how we are able to display the fruit of the Spirit. Our faces will show God’s grace towards others in that we love them instead of judge them for things that are not explicitly stated in the Bible.
Susan, thank you for posting this to G+ I appreciate this post so much, It feels good to be reminded that Jesus’ yoke is light. Tara (The Proverbs 31 Sanctuary & One Faithful Arrow)
Yes, Jesus’ yoke is light because when we yield to Him, He does the work. And when we’re yielded, we have more peace and joy!
Thanks for this. I shared it on my facebook page. Wish I’d had something like this to read after my first homeschool conference. 🙂
I’ve been to homeschool conferences where so many people felt defeated because they knew they couldn’t keep up with all the rules without feeling suffocated. God doesn’t work that way. With God there is true freedom while seeking holiness on God’s terms, not man’s.
Just wanted to say, thanks for your balanced perspective on these homeschool speaker’s views. We need to eat the meat and spit out the bones when we hear what we consider godly advice from godly people, and take it up with the Lord what is not black and white from scripture (ie sports and entertainment).
Also, what a gorgeous picture of you ! I do admire your outstanding red hair! 😉
Thanks. My husband took this picture back before we were married 20 years ago!