BREAKING TRADITION!

Mark 7:8-9, 13

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. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

Many of our cultural and religious traditions nullify the effectiveness of God’s Word in our lives. Traditions in and of themselves are not sinful, it’s only when they contradict the Word of God or distract someone from His God given assignment.

Tradition defined:

•  The handing down of patterns of behavior, practices, and beliefs that are valued by a culture.
•  A long-established action or pattern of behavior in a community or group of people, often one that has been handed down from generation to generation.

As you can see traditions are generally ingrained in a person’s soul and become a part of their everyday life. Traditions are valued and esteemed by many cultures. In many cultures, to break tradition could result in a person being ostracized from the entire family or community. Rejection is a very unpleasant, unwelcome evil to experience; therefore many people do whatever they must to avoid its bite.

Traditions are established by people and are handed down from generation to generation. Jesus said that traditions of men can make the word of God of no effect. When our traditions go against the Word of God it is time to make some changes and make them quick. God gave us His Word and He intended for His Word to be our standard. God’s Word is the only thing that should govern our spirit, soul and body.

Many times a person can have a religious tradition such as going to church every Sunday just because that was their family practice while they were growing up. They may not even be born again but, because this was a family tradition, they continue to practice it faithfully not realizing that just going to church does not give a person a right relationship with God. They practice outwardly something they don’t possess inwardly. Their faithfulness is the result of conformation not transformation.
 Therefore their heart is not right and the Word of God has no effect in their life.

Examine your life today. What traditions do you keep that hinder God’s Word from being effective in your life? It is time to breakout of tradition and fulfill all the will of God for your life, today!