Devotionals

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

by PamFord Davis 
05/04/17
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It’s a Ford family trait. Before leaving home, I check and re-check the burners on our stove. I’m diligent; does that mean I have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder? Maybe so.

Concerning hand washing, religious leaders had a major OCD issue.

“Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem. Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches.

Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, ‘Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?’

He answered and said to them, ‘Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:

‘This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men—the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.’

He said to them, ‘All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition (Mark 7:1-9 NKJV).”