Legalism According to the Bible - many legalistic believers make the error of demanding unqualified adherence to their own biblical interpretations and even to their own traditions. “Legalism” does not occur in the Bible. It is a doctrinal position emphasizing a system of rules and regulations for achieving both salvation and spiritual growth. It is a position essentially opposed to grace. Legalists may appear to be righteous and spiritual, but legalism ultimately fails to accomplish God’s purposes because it is an outward performance instead of an inward change

What does the Bible say about legalism?

The word “legalism” does not occur in the Bible. 

It is a term Christians use to describe a doctrinal position emphasizing a system of rules and regulations for achieving both salvation and spiritual growth.

Legalists believe in and demand a strict literal adherence to rules and regulations. 

Doctrinally, it is a position essentially opposed to grace. 

Those who hold a legalistic position often fail to see the real purpose for law, especially the purpose of the Old Testament law of Moses, which is to be our “schoolmaster” or “tutor” to bring us to Christ (Galatians 3:24).

Even true believers can be legalistic. 

We are instructed, rather, to be gracious to one another:

“Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters” - (Romans 14:1). 

Sadly, there are those who feel so strongly about non-essential doctrines that they will run others out of their fellowship, not even allowing the expression of another viewpoint. 

That, too, is legalism. 

Many legalistic believers today make the error of demanding unqualified adherence to their own biblical interpretations and even to their own traditions. 

For example, there are those who feel that to be spiritual one must simply avoid tobacco, alcoholic beverages, dancing, movies, etc. 

The truth is that avoiding these things is no guarantee of spirituality.

The apostle Paul warns us of legalism in Colossians 2:20-23:

“Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: 

"‘Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!’"?

These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. 

Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

Legalists may appear to be righteous and spiritual, but legalism ultimately fails to accomplish God’s purposes because it is an outward performance instead of an inward change.

To avoid falling into the trap of legalism, we can start by holding fast to the words of the apostle John, “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” - (John 1:17) 

and remembering to be gracious, especially to our brothers and sisters in Christ. 

“Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? 

"To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand” - (Romans 14:4).

“You, then, why do you judge your brother? 

"Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat” - (Romans 14:10).

A word of caution is necessary here. 

While we need to be gracious to one another and tolerant of disagreement over disputable matters, we cannot accept heresy. 

We are exhorted to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints (Jude 3).

If we remember these guidelines and apply them in love and mercy, we will be safe from both legalism and heresy.

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” - (1 John 4:1).

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Got Questions Ministries is an internet based ministry whose mission is to glorify God and reach people for Christ by providing biblical answers to spiritually-related questions.

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The Scribes And Pharisees Were Filled With Madness - reflect on the contrasting reactions to Jesus’ miracles: the people often rejoiced at the miracles, while religious leaders often sought to uncover fault, error, mistakes, or sins. The Pharisees and scribes reacted differently. For them, Jesus had broken the Sabbath law, prioritizing a legalistic interpretation over the miracle of healing. Seek the Lord’s guidance to protect against the detrimental effects of a religious spirit, asking for a heart that remains open and receptive to His divine workings

What Defiles the Man - the fanatical condemnation by the scribes and Pharisees of Christ and His followers was rooted in a rigid, unbiblical legalism that stood in stark contrast with the gracious words that fell from the lips of our Lord and the deep compassion He had for all who were drowning in their sin. These critical hypocritical leaders paid great attention to exterior devilment while ignoring the all-important need for inner cleanliness and a heart that has been washed white and clean by the blood of the Lamb

What Defiles the Man - the fanatical condemnation by the scribes and Pharisees of Christ and His followers was rooted in a rigid, unbiblical legalism that stood in stark contrast with the gracious words that fell from the lips of our Lord and the deep compassion He had for all who were drowning in their sin. These critical hypocritical leaders paid great attention to exterior devilment while ignoring the all-important need for inner cleanliness and a heart that has been washed white and clean by the blood of the Lamb

What Does Matthew 15:11

"It is not what enters into the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man." - Matthew 15:11 (NASB)

As the end of Christ's earthly ministry drew ever closer, the conflict with Israel's hypocritical leaders continued to escalate. 

Christ's great concern was truth and love, but His truth exposed their hypocrisy and His compassion unmasked a cold indifference to the lost sheep of the house of Israel and a disdain for the Gentiles who were dead in their sins and without God in the world.

The fanatical condemnation by the scribes and Pharisees of Christ and His followers, was rooted in a rigid, unbiblical legalism that stood in stark contrast with the gracious words that fell from the lips of our Lord and the deep compassion He had for all who were drowning in their sin.

The religious leaders were more concerned with ceremonial washing of hands than the inner cleansing of their heart from sin. 

The scribes and Pharisees put far greater emphasis on rules and regulations such as what to eat, when to eat, and how to eat, rather than what they spoke, what they thought, and the motives behinds their thoughts. 

These critical hypocritical leaders paid great attention to exterior devilment whilst ignoring the all-important need for inner cleanliness and a heart that has been washed white and clean by the blood of the Lamb.

Jesus knew this when He spoke these words: "For the mouth speaks from that which fills the heart. The good person brings out of his good treasure good things; and the evil person brings out of his evil treasure evil things." 

He went on to explain that we will all give an account of every careless word we say.

As we meditate on the words of Jesus, let us seek to live as unto the Lord, never forgetting that it is not what enters into the mouth that defiles the man or woman, but what proceeds out of the mouth that defiles them. 

The words that stream forth from our lips are a stunningly accurate gauge of a person’s heart and life.

May our love for the Lord be shown in the words that we say, and let us never forget that a wholesome tongue is a tree of life.

My Prayer

Heavenly Father, search my heart, I pray, and root out any hypocrisy and legalism You find there. 

May the words of my mouth reflect a heart that honours you in thought, word, and motive. 

In Jesus' name I pray, 

AMEN. 

knowing-jesus.com

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About Those Scribes - the scribes were copyists of the holy scriptures. They preserved in written form the oral law, and faithfully handed down the Hebrew scriptures. The scribes clashed with Christ for He taught with authority and condemned the external formalism that they fostered. They appeared to be holy outwardly, but their hearts were far from God. Jesus exposed the hypocrisy of the scribes by dealing with issues of the heart

I Never Knew You. Depart From Me - it seems strange to hear our all-knowing Lord say there’s someone He doesn’t know. Jesus refers not to an intellectual knowledge here but to a relational knowledge. Jesus never recognized them as His true disciples friends. Despite their high-sounding words and showy displays of religious fervor, they had no intimacy with Christ - they rejected God’s eternal purpose and plan for their lives