THE RELIGIOUS SPIRIT OF LEGALISM

THE RELIGIOUS SPIRIT OF LEGALISM

Legalism is a subtle religious spirit. It is very prevalent in the Body of Christ, yet seldom is it successfully confronted and conquered. It is a major deception and an enemy of grace.

Legalism is an over-strict adherence to the law. In theology it is salvation by works; the attempt to achieve righteousness by religious acts as opposed to salvation by grace through faith. "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" Eph. 2:8,9

Legalism is characterized by zeal which can be mistaken for commitment, piety and true holiness. Paul was burdened for his Jewish brethren whom he said, "Have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes." Rom 10:2-4 Zeal that is not according to knowledge results in legalism.

Zeal of itself is commendable. Of the twelve whom Jesus chose as His disciples, at least three were known for their zeal: Peter, James and John. Peter was called "Simon the Zealot". (Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13). His whole demeanor was marked with zeal. In his zeal he defended Jesus with his sword, cutting off an ear. James and John were called Boanerges, i.e. "sons of thunder". (Mk. 3:17). They were ready to call down fire from heaven and consume the Samaritan who refused to receive Jesus. (Lk. 9:54).

Jesus corrected the zeal which was not according to knowledge. He told Peter, "Put your sword in its place" Matt. 26:52, and He rebuked James and John, saying to them, "You do not know what manner of spirit you are of" Luke 9:55.

In Galatians 2:11-21, we find Paul withstanding Simon the Zealot for withdrawing from the Gentiles when "fearing those who were of the circumcision". Others, even Barnabas, was influenced by Peter’s legalism. Yes, legalism is like leprosy that spreads and contaminates others. When Paul "saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel", he reminded Peter that "a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ...for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified....I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain"

Some of Jesus strongest words were against the legalistic practices of the scribes and Pharisees. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and you have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith" Matt. 23.23. He described their legalistic practices thusly: "You strain out a gnat and swallow a camel...you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness." And when these zealous Jews criticized His disciples for eating with unwashed hands, Jesus declared, "Defilement does not come by what one puts in his mouth but by what comes out of his mouth., For, out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks: evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies" Matt. 15:16-20.

Legalism is keeping the letter of the law rather than the spirit of the law. "The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life:" I Cor. 3:6. The letter of the law says "You shall not murder" but the spirit of the law says not to angry with one’s brother. The letter of the law say, "You shall not commit adultery", but the spirit says not to look at a woman with lust. The letter of the law says, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth", but the spirit says do not resist an evil person.

Eccl. 7:16 says, "Do not be overly righteous". This is the same Phariseeism Jesus warned against: "Unless your righteousness exceeds the [self] righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees [self] righteousness, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven" Matt. 5:20 (Brackets mine).

Legalism by necessity is selective. It would be next to impossible for anyone to be legalistic in every possible way. Some have chosen to be legalistic by way of dress codes, hair styles and head coverings. Others have chosen to be legalistic about instrumental music in the church, no automobiles, electricity or modern conveniences. Yet others are legalistic concerning foods, and some refuse to observe Christmas as the birth of Jesus or Easter as commemorating His resurrection.

Those who observe Christmas and Easter need to exclude all pagan and idolatrous associations. (I Cor. 10:14-22)

The New Testament reminds us that some are weak in faith and weak in conscience. (Rom. 14:1; I Cor. 8:7) We are admonished not to judge one another for, "The kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" Rom. 14:17. We must not show contempt for one another. (Rom. 14:10).

"One person thinks that some days should be set aside as holy and another thinks that each day is pretty much like any other. There are good reasons either way. So each person is free to follow the convictions of conscience. What’s important in all this that if you keep a holy day, keep it for God’s sake; if you eat meat eat it to the glory of God and thank God for prime rib. If you are a vegetarian, eat vegetables to the glory of God and thank God for broccoli. None of us are permitted to insist on our own way in these matters. It’s God we are answerable to" Rom. 14:5,6 Message Bible. Judgmentalism is a religious spirit, too!.

Legalism is divisive. Many a relationship has been destroyed through legalism. Out of pride, legalists separate themselves from others who do not hold the same convictions. The Pharisees, unlike Jesus, would have no contact with tax collectors and sinners, Jesus said to them, "Those who are well do not need a physician, but those who are sick" Luke 5:30, 31.

God judges our hearts! Let’s ask Him to expose any legalism or judgmentalism in us. We receive God’s grace based on what Christ has done for us, not on what we do. "Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes" Rom 10:4.

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