1/31/10 Mark 7
Invalidating the Word of God
(Mk 7:13)13thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.”
Unfortunately, this is charge sticks to many who are in churches today. Unbelievers rightly call these people hypocrites as do Isaiah and Jesus in Mk 7:6. What are some things that invalidate the word of God among church goers today? Put simply it is the works of the flesh. Many times the individuals that are labeled hypocrites in the church are actually unconverted. They have no power to overcome the works of the flesh. What do the works of flesh look like? Skip down a few verses and we find all sorts of things that characterize people who are defiled by fleshly things and the scriptures says that they proceed from the heart (Mk 7:20-23). So unless the heart has been converted there is no ability to overcome the flesh. If we are honest we would have to admit that we have been guilty of one or more of these items, but the key is; are these things characteristic in your life? Are they consistent and habitual? They bible refers to this as “practicing sin” in Galatians 5:16-20 and 1 John 3.
I think it is appropriate for each of us to examine ourselves and give permission to others to examine us, our words and action, and to see if we are guilty of invalidating the word of God. Many people seem to think that if they just attend church once, twice, maybe three times a week, then they are a true and faithful worshipper. This passage clearly states that your church attendance maybe just a tradition that has been handed down to you. Lets us take care that not a single person could bring upon us a single convicting charge that our lives have one ounce of invalidating the word of God.
Prayer: Great Father in the heavens, I praise You for Your word and how it instructs and convicts. How it teach us about blessing and cursing, how it guides and directs us in righteousness. Lord, my desire is that my worship of You would be in spirit and in truth and my life would reflect your perfect character. Remove from me any areas that would cause others to see my life as invalidating the word of God. Make me holy as You are holy. In Jesus Name. Amen.