Teaching As Doctrines, Commandments of Men

These people draw near to me with their mouth, and honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. And in vain they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.1

As I write this I am reminded that I need to write what God is speaking and showing me, nothing more. If I throw in my own opinion or let my mouth or mind run on, I put in my words and opportunity for the enemy to snatch his word, his seed. My words can lead to teaching as doctrine the commandments of men. Three things I want to speak of; a heart that is far from him, the influence of the church, and the idea of soul, body, and spirit. 

The scribes and Pharisees had spies that would follow Jesus around, some were open and would try to debate doctrine with him but mostly they were deliberately trying to find fault in him. At this particular point they came because they had been told the disciples of Jesus were eating without washing their hands. External cleanliness was a big tradition to them, but for Jesus it was their inward condition. He said to them, Hear and understand: Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.2

God desires a heart near him, one that lines up with the mouth. But what about teachings of fear and condemnation? instead of reverence and hope. Or teaching on authority that seeks to control and lord over people? instead of humility and example. Or lukewarmness through grace without instruction or instructions without grace? instead of instructions with gentleness. Teachings that promote an external show of piety without getting to the heart. It is word without spirit or knowledge without power. It seeks to teach commandments of men that have no power to deliver and save. If what we speak is not of the doctrine and power of Jesus is it a false witness?3 And as such an abomination to God.

If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.4

Does the world influence the church more than the church influences the world? Does the church hide in fear of the world? maybe we are afraid they will rub off on us, a misunderstanding of Psalms 1, perhaps. But Jesus said we are suppose to be salt, seasoning, a light shining into darkness. Light is an interesting thing we still seek to understand; a photon, elementary particle, the quantum of light. Darkness is created by absorbing light, the moon absorbs the sun's light, hiding or covering light but it can not expel it, nor can it expel itself. Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness.5 Why do we seek to control or influence through commandments of men; do not touch, do not taste...according to the commandments and doctrines of men?These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh,6

God's children worship him in truth and in Spirit. If we listen to God, his spirit and word, living and active, we guard our heart and mind in his truth, we can know his will. In the process of working for his kingdom we can be in error, not forgiving a brother for example, but because God continues his plan through us we are emboldened to continue in error, so we must be diligent. Without discernment we evoke commandments of men instead of listening and following his spirit. For from within, out of the heart of mankind, come evil thoughts... slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.7  But I am a new creation, my default nature or inner being loves God, do I choose to not follow his nature? I believe it is important to understand scripture when it comes to the matter of loving God with heart, mind, soul, and might. 

If in my heart I love God then why would he give me this commandment of love as the greatest, and one like it, and the new one? I do love him, my spirit is born again, but not my body. The scriptures even distinguish soul from spirit, sanctification is of our whole spirit and soul and body.8  It makes a division of, For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.9 Why is this important? Paul tells us to continue to work out our salvation.10 Why? To put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.11. As Paul wrote, sin is still in my member, my flesh, my mind is at enmity with him. The flesh is one of my enemies, I must be diligent to have the mind of Christ. To know the flesh is half the battle or one third of it. 

Finally, a witness to God is about influencing people, like Jesus did using grace, mercy, justice, hope, love, discipleship, and service. These are good things and it is was His example to us. He had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces, he was despised, and we esteemed him not.12 Oh he had powerful words and actions, which influenced people into his kingdom. We too are to influence people into the kingdom of God. If you want to influence then die for them, it works. It is about his kingdom not ours, i must decrease so He can increase. Not my ministry, not your way, not my way, but His Way, His Truth, His Life, he offers, lay down your heart. 

Come! And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.21

Come As You Are