Mark 7:5
“Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?”
Everybody has a tradition that they or their family have always done. I’ve traveled to foreign countries where their traditions have been different from mine. I’ve been to homes of people who have traditions different from mine. No matter where you go, you have to deal with traditions.
Jesus dealt with this touchy subject when the disciples sat down to eat without washing their hands. The tradition of the Pharisees was to wash their hands before eating bread. They literally felt that it was a sin to eat without washing your hands. Jesus very wisely instructed the Pharisees that not all traditions are about right and wrong; rather, some are simply a custom that has been handed down from previous generations.
I’m truly amazed of the power of traditions on one’s life. Many traditions have caused needless division that could have been avoided had those involved understood some vital principles concerning traditions. Let me give you some thoughts concerning traditions that will help you in dealing with others.
First, God’s Word is the final authority. You must never forget where the Christian’s authority comes from. It is extremely easy to get your focus off God’s Word and on traditions. This happens when we get our focus on man. There is nothing wrong with looking at how men from the past have done things, but we must always keep God’s Word as our authority. Just because someone from the past has done something doesn’t always mean it is right. You always set aside tradition when it conflicts with God’s Word. God’s Word must be the law and order of every Christian.
Second, don’t let your tradition be a source of division. When God’s Word doesn’t deal with tradition, don’t make tradition mandatory for everyone. Just because you have always done something a certain way, or just because you have seen others always do something a certain way doesn’t mean that it is law. Jesus said in verse 7, “Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Tradition is not doctrine; it’s tradition. Don’t confuse the two. If someone does something differently from you, don’t consider them a heretic just because they don’t follow your tradition.
Third, realize that all tradition is based upon opinion. If you strongly stand for truth, it can be easy to let your opinionated tradition become the measurement of truth. Don’t be so steeped into a tradition that you destroy the work of God. For instance, just because a church you previously attended did something differently than the church you currently attend doesn’t necessarily make either of them right or wrong. Don’t destroy a potential friendship over an opinion of tradition. Allow people to be different from you in how they do things.
It truly comes down to keeping your focus upon the Word of God. When God’s Word sets the tradition, that tradition then becomes doctrine and is a mandatory action for every Christian to follow. When everyone keeps God’s Word as their final authority, it will give others the freedom to practice their traditions without judging. Let me encourage you to stay focused on God’s Word and not on tradition.