DESTROYING THE TRADITIONS OF MEN

A: TRADITION MEETS TRUTH

In dealing with or discerning tradition, we need to understand how something becomes a tradition in the negative sense. When God installed His ways inside the Old Covenant with the children of Israel, the reason He changed it was because they broke their covenant with Him. It would have remained the same if they had been found without fault. In the breaking of the Old Covenant, God installed a New Covenant, which also becomes a new way. How much of the Old Covenant is still alive or did God destroy all of it? The scripture says it was disannulled, which means that everything was done away with. Christ was the fulfillment of the Law, therefore, everything from Genesis to Malachi was fulfilled in Christ. Since the way has changed, if it is not accepted there is no covering for our sins; therefore, with God’s New Covenant came a new way. When God has changed a way but we hold fast to it, it does not have the same effect it used to have because of the change God made. The old way is no longer recognized by God as righteous or holy once He has installed the new way. The old way is no longer God’s way, but man’s way. Henceforth, the definition of tradition is man’s way of doing things.

Isaiah 29:13

Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

Tradition is also a way of doing things that does not reflect a righteous disposition of the heart. It is a routine or ritual. It is performed because we were trained to do it, it is comfortable and it somehow benefits us. Henceforth, those performing these routines become complacent and take on the mindset, “This is the way things should be done.” Tradition moves the heart far from God. When God changes the way and we do not make the transition, then our heart did not move with God. Why won’t we make the change? Why do we remain in the old way? The traditions of the church today were not established by God. The doctrines of men are based upon the precepts of men, or the way man sees God. Man can read his bible but if his heart is not pure he will perceive God in a manner that protects what he wants to hold onto.

PERSPECTIVE AND STRUCTURE

I. STRUCTURE - Landmark scriptures help us to understand the structure of the Bible. They keep the boundaries intact, pointing to the final redemption of mankind back to God.

Below are some examples of landmark scriptures that aid in establishing structure and perspective.

John 3:16;

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

1 John 3:8;

¹⁶ Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

Ephesians 3:9-10;

And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: 10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God.

Ephesians 6:11-18;

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

Hebrews 2:14-18;

14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. Hebrews 2:14-18

Romans 12:1-2;

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans.

Ephesians 3:1-7, 16-20;

​¹ For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, ² If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: ³ How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, ⁴ Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) ⁵ Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; ⁶ That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: ⁷ Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. Ephesians 3:16-21

Ephesians 4:11-24;

Genesis 3:15;

II. PERSPECTIVE -When you have God's perspective, you will see as God sees. You will understand His point of view. God's perspective provides the ability to see things in true relationship. Perspective is found when you determine the intention of the scripture. The purpose of scripture is to reveal God's purpose and plan for earth, man, Satan, and the serpent. The only way you will know that you have established a true relationship (or a universal relationship) of scripture, is that the conclusion stands the test of all scriptures.

Man has not always seen through God's eyes because of the following:

A. FALSE TEACHING - There have been many erroneous teachings in the body of Christ. Nevertheless, if you continue to hunger and thirst after righteousness, the Holy Ghost is faithful to teach you correctly, and further reveal God's Word and will.

B. UNBELIEF - A rejection of proven or witnessed truth.

C. WANTONNESS - A lust for ministry, control, authority, flesh, and reputation

D. IMPURE HEART - Only the pure in heart shall see God, even in scriptures (Matthew 5:8)

E. ERRONEOUS RULES OF INTERPRETATION - (2 Peter 1:20). These include spiritualizing and presumption. These are two of the biggest mistakes that ministers enter into when attempting to interpret scripture:

1. Spiritualizing: giving a scripture meaning out of your own mind or from what you have heard of someone else. It is not allowing scripture to interpret itself.

2. Presumption: assuming that you know the meaning of scripture before studying, which can be caused by handed down interpretations.

INSPIRATION

2 Timothy 3:16-17

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

When you study scripture, you must trust the authority that is the author's at the time of the writing.

The word inspiration means breathed in.

The Holy Spirit is the author of all scripture. The writers of the Bible were inspired by God. The Holy Spirit instructed them concerning what they should write. Each writer wrote of events of which they were inspired. In other words, they had a revelation from God. Saint John was inspired beyond planet earth. As a result of the knowledge breathed in, the books of I, II, and III John and Revelation came about. Divine inspiration did not come from planet earth, but it came from God. When God inspires you to do something, he also equips you to accomplish it. Divine inspiration is always accompanied by a Spirit of might, which is the ability to perform the will of God. When the Holy Ghost moved upon the writers, they had to write within certain boundaries. Faith set the boundaries for what we are to know. The structure of the Bible is already laid. It always keeps the boundaries intact, pointing to the final redemption.

UNIVERSAL DEFINITIONS

Universal definitions are words, symbols, doctrines, or mindsets; whose meanings or explanations must stand the test of all scripture, that pertain to that particular dispensation.

The universality of a definition must be found inside of the dispensations in which it is written. Some examples of universal definitions are:

1. HOLINESS - an acceptable relationship with God, which must include the born again experience. A person who is walking in holiness has a pure heart towards God. His body may fall into sin, but he is quick to repent and forsake sin because of the effect of the Word in his heart. Holiness means having no iniquity in the heart.

2. GODLINESS - that relationship with our fellowman that is acceptable to God.

3. LEGALISM - an attitude or mindset that is absent of:

A. Grace: God's influence which changes or effects the heart, and is reflected in your life.

B. Faith: the operation of the Holy Ghost; buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the operation of God (Colossians 2:12).

C. Virtue: fruit that is tested; the power of restoration (Galatians 5:22).

4. PRIDE: that which is exalts self; strengthens legalism. It makes you a judge and a god of your fellowman. It allows you to do the following:

a. Think of yourself higher than you ought

b. Operate in low self-esteem

5. LOVE: strong affection or liking for someone or something; to express the essential nature of God. It is the strongest feeling the soul can express. There is no feeling or emotion greater than love. However, God's love goes beyond feeling, so much so, it causes one to do what is best for another, even at one's own expense.

UNIVERSAL DOCTRINES

1. Baptism (Romans 6:3-5)

2. Suffering (2 Corinthians 12:7-10; 2 Corinthians 4:8-12; 1 Peter 4:1)

3. Grace (2 Corinthians 5:17; 6:1-10)

4. Servitude (Romans 6:18)

5. Faith (Colossians 2:12; Hebrews 11:1)

6. Apostolic Order (Ephesians 3:3-5; 4:11-12)

7. Renewing the mind (Romans 12:1; Ephesians 4:23-24; Philippians: 3:15)

8. The mystery of iniquity (2 Thessalonians 2:7)

9. The mystery of godliness (Colossians 1:25-27)

UNIVERSAL MINDSETS

Below is a list of universal mindsets:

1. Suffering: to deny flesh the pleasures of the world; to endure affliction, persecution, reproach, or any trial or offense in which the flesh is subdued; that the power of Christ might be manifested.

2. Unforgiveness: a mindset which is caused from a battle, designed to keep hurts, disappointments, and pain alive.

3. Jealousy: to be resentful and suspicious of one that enjoys an advantage; fear of losing one's uniqueness inside of their territorial sphere of influence.

4. Servitude: the work of the minister; the act of executing the commands of his master at any cost; even at the expense of his or her own life.

UNIVERSAL SYMBOLS

A universal symbol is a natural element that has a spiritual meaning. When used in scripture, it generally has the same meaning. Examples: Horn symbolizes power, Oil symbolizes the anointing, and the Ark of the Covenant symbolizes the presence of God.

In conclusion, you must allow the Bible to interpret itself when studying landmark scriptures and universal definitions. As it relates to perspective, you must see the scriptures as God sees them. You must believe in God the way the scripture has said.