“Making the word of God of no effect through your tradition, which you have delivered: and many such things do you.” — MARK 7:13
Jesus Christ said, “You make the word of God of no effect by the tradition of your fathers.” God is not against culture; He is against wrong traditions. The difference between tradition and culture is that traditional people always live in the past. That is why the Pharisees would wash their plates, wash their tables, and wash their hands three times a day before they ate, yet they were very wicked. Another aspect of traditional people is that they often appear to be righteous, but deep down in their hearts, they are not. Jesus calls them “ravenous wolves.”
People can be traditionally oriented in the church and criticize everything in it, which all stems from the state of their minds. For example, there was a time when women began wearing trousers, and they were heavily criticized. People said they were going to hell, and this was a message preached in the church. This is why I believe some pastors can never have breakthrough ministries—they criticize everything and everyone in the church.
Apostle Paul said, “To the Jews, I have become like a Jew so that I can win them; to the Gentiles, I have become like a Gentile…” The reason is that when people realize you have identified with them, they are more likely to heed your teachings. May the Lord deliver you from every wrong tradition.
Prayer: Pray and say, “Lord, deliver me from wrong traditions and help me to identify myself with Your people.”