Daily Devotion: Complete in Christ Week Eight, Day Three

Reading: Colossians 2:8; Mark 7:8–13; Acts 20:29–31

Devotion

One of the dangers Paul identifies is human tradition. Tradition isn't automatically bad. There are many good traditions that help us remember God's faithfulness and pass biblical truth from one generation to another. The problem comes when human tradition takes the place of God's Word.

Jesus confronted the Pharisees because they had allowed their traditions to become more important than God's commands. They had become so committed to what had been passed down that they were willing to abandon what God had actually said.

That's an important warning for us.

Something isn't true simply because we've always done it that way. Something isn't true because our grandparents believed it. Something isn't true because a respected person said it. Something isn't true because it has been around for hundreds of years.

And something isn't true simply because it sounds good. The standard is God's Word.

Reflection

• Do I ever accept something simply because it is traditional?

• Do I compare what I hear with Scripture?

• Is there anything I believe that I need to examine more carefully in light of God's Word?

Prayer

Father, give me wisdom and discernment. Help me never place human tradition, popular opinion, or human wisdom above Your Word. Teach me to test what I hear and to hold firmly to Your truth. Amen.