Devotionals

When Opinions Become Commandments

by Nicholas Lewis
04/25/20
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“The people honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 14:8-9). 

            The Pharisees were well known for correcting Jesus and his disciples about the Sabbath law. Several times Jesus and his band of followers are assaulted by the Pharisees and berated for picking grain on the Sabbath, performing miracles, and eating with “unclean” hands. The Pharisees are aghast at the failure to honor the traditions of their forefathers. Don’t forget though that these are “traditions” and not necessarily the Law of God or the Ten Commandments. The Pharisees and their ancestors before them had created a system of rules to interpret the intricacies of the Law in the Pentateuch and today we call this the Talmud. These rules were not inspired although they were interpretations of the inspired law. The Pharisees would ask the question of how one keeps the Sabbath (the law) and then create a list of very specific rules on how to keep this commandment. They sought to uncover every single implication of the Law for nearly every single situation. Instead of operating on principle, they operated on rules. And if you operate strictly on rules, it is easy to forego an honest assessment of the heart because a holy and clean heart can operate on principle. A principle requires discernment, the will and willingness to act, and an effort to seek out the greater good. Rules down to the nittiest and grittiest detail requires little to no effort of the mind or the heart. This is why Jesus quotes the passage saying you can keep the superficial rules but you lack the principles to ultimately guide you to God. 

            Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount actually shows how one interprets the Law correctly. The Law was not necessarily given to create an intricate system of rules for this presupposes that we have the will and effort to succeed but didn’t Jesus show that the Law is far beyond our ability to follow? Jesus shows that instead of creating traditions and rules that are easy to follow, the principle resides in the heart and affections. How you act is just as important as what you desire. Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matt. 5:27). The Pharisee reads the Law, “You shall not commit adultery,” and tries to figure out the details of what entails a righteous divorce, or how far is too far in sexual relations with women, or whether or not you can have several marriages or only one. Jesus reads the Law, “You shall not commit adultery,” and explains that the state of the heart determines whether or not you are keeping it. A rule is something that is physically done or can be visibly seen and followed. A principle is something that the heart has to orient itself around. A rule against no trespassing on private property is something you physically do not do. A principle on integrity and respect is something that you have ingrained in your character.

            Rules can easily be followed, but the cultivation of principles and character requires a change of heart. Perhaps this is why we hide behind legalistic contrivances and devices. Keeping the rules makes us look quite godly or honorable. We keep our hands to ourselves when it comes to committing adultery but in our hearts we are aflame with sensuous desires for someone not our own. The Pharisees paraded their rule-following to show off their ability, but in reality they had weak hearts. They are like gym rats that max out their PR and can lift an amazing amount at a glance but their stamina and endurance is embarrassing. Put them in a race or boxing match and they wouldn’t last more than a few minutes. They know nothing of true sacrifice and pain. Superficially impressive, but they lack a strong core.

            But it is much worse than that. Pharisees don’t just encourage this way of thinking and acting; they berate and assault others who do not follow suit. You see in the Bible passage, most readers are confused why Jesus is breaking the “law” and why the Pharisees seem to be the champions of it. Remember though, the Pharisees are championing the “rule” not the Ten Commandments. Jesus is after the heart of the matter. Jesus sees that they are touting the “commandments of men” as doctrine. They are claiming that God just wants us to follow X, Y, and Z. That is by definition, a claim of doctrine. They are putting words in the mouth of God and claiming they understand God’s desire when they do not. We call this false doctrine or heresy. They are saying that good doctrine is the rules they have contrived which has nothing to do with the state of a man’s heart before a holy God! This is what happens when opinions become commandments. And when the opinions of man become commandments, truth and morality go out the window. When every man creates the standard of right and wrong, we will be tossed back and forth. Harmonious opinions are an oxymoron. That is why as Christians we must champion the doctrine of Jesus as King and Ruler because he holds absolute truth. He is the anchor for reality in this postmodern world.

            In the body of Christ, we are usually tempted to turn opinions into commandments. We like to skip over the principle. When has your “rules” or “opinions” skipped over the heart of the matter? Do you tout Calvinism or Arminianism as the Law of God? Do you tout a specific political belief as the Law of God? Whom have you vilified or berated because they did not agree with your opinions or rules? Don’t misunderstand me. Rules and applicable steps to follow Christ are certainly important but are you getting it from God’s Word? Or are you getting it from your own inventions? Cold shoulders, condescension, arguments and a lack of patience follow the heart that believes its innovative rules and opinions are the standard by which we must all follow. This does not mean that there is no standard but it means YOU are NOT the standard. God’s Word is the standard we abide by and whenever we act coldly against another or condemn them by the letter of the law, ask yourself, ‘Is this really the Law of God?’

            Let me give you a hint to the anwer. If you are displaying a lack of patience, love, and forbearance and instead are condescending, unapproachable, and mean-spirited (you know if you are) then you probably are cherishing your rules and opinions more than God.  If you really believe that another is wrong and if you are actually following the Law of Love, then you would seek reconciliation and you would lovingly correct. See that the Pharisees did not lovingly correct Jesus, or seek for reconciliation, or earnestly try to restore them which may mean they had filthy and diseased hearts. And if they have a diseased and filthy heart, then it is no mystery that they lacked the principle of love.

            Throw off your precious rules and opinions that you think protect your righteousness and behold your sinful and diseased heart so you can see the great weight of grace and mercy that is offered. For God promises to put His law within us and that he will write the principle of love on our hearts so that we may abide with Him and He will be our God. This He has accomplished in the mediator Jesus Christ and this he will accomplish in our hearts through the Holy Spirit.