“Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye” (Mark 7:13).
The Word of God is “Alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing {and} sifting {and} analyzing {and} judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12 AMP). Yet, Jesus taught that a man could render the Word of God inoperative and ineffective in his own life through traditions and man-made doctrines.
The Pharisees of His day were experts in upholding the Jewish traditions at the expense of following the true teachings of God’s Word. It was for this reason that they made the Word of God ineffective in their lives. They were casual with the Word.
Through “religion” and “tradition” a man can short-circuit the power of the Word of God, such that it doesn’t work for him. There are folks who have imbibed personal traditions and religious opinions, beliefs and thought-patterns which are contrary to the new creation realities revealed to us in the Word. Such folks have made the Word ineffective in their lives by their traditions.
There’re some who’d say “Let’s put the Bible aside and talk reality….” They feel they’re being pragmatic, not knowing they’ve actually undermined the power of the Word. Such folks have ideas, mindsets and beliefs that are inconsistent with the Word and that’s why the Word isn’t producing results in their lives.
So, don’t get too “familiar” with God and His Word such that it no longer moves you. Have that childlike attitude of delight and hunger for the Word always. Don’t be casual with the Word; don’t treat the Word as one of your options in life, make it your only recourse in any situation. Honour God’s Word and give it pre-eminence in your life, and it’ll always work for you.
Prayer
Dear Father, thank you for your precious Word, by which I live and derive my sustenance. I pray that your Word will never become common to me, but I would always receive it with child-like faith and excitement each and every time. May your Word always be exalted in my heart, above every thought, desire, aspiration or belief, in Jesus’ Name. Amen
Further Study: Colossians 2:8: “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ”
Mark 7:8: “For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do” Matthew 15:3: “But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?”
(Taken by permission from Christ Embassy Church , aka Believer’s LoveWorld Ministries , Lagos, Nigeria. www.ChristEmbassy.org )
