GOoD Life Precepts- By: KeviJ
She posted boldly about honoring God— quoting scripture to defend her convictions. She publicly rebuked a younger believer for not following the “biblical standard” of modesty, all while holding onto unforgiveness & bitterness toward her elderly parents. When asked why she hadn’t supported them in their time of need, she responded, “I gave that money to the church—it was my offering to God.” The contradiction was staggering, and tragically, it wasn’t uncommon. It mirrored a deeper issue Jesus exposed centuries earlier: the religious leaders in Jesus’ day, who outwardly promoted spiritual cleanliness, but inwardly dishonored what God clearly commanded. They criticized Jesus’ disciples for not washing their hands before eating, yet nullified the command to honor father and mother by claiming their resources were “devoted to God.” Jesus exposed the hypocrisy and asked this cutting question, which we’re focusing on this week.
“And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?”
~Matt 15:4
Pure religion prioritizes God over performance
Jesus is responding to Pharisees who were more concerned with ceremonial washing than honoring God’s command to care for their parents. He exposes their hypocrisy: they had created religious loopholes to look righteous while excusing themselves from actual obedience. This wasn’t about hygiene issues; it was about hypocrisy, and the motive was being exposed. Their tradition masked their rebellion by elevating manmade rituals, thereby diluting God’s authority through the power of His word. Jesus didn’t oppose tradition, but He was against tradition that replaced transformation. His question cuts through religious appearance and demands integrity of heart.
God’s power transforms; it doesn’t perform. It’s not a religious routine or spiritual theater. The gospel is not about behavior modification, but a renewed mind and heart. Jesus exposes leaders who look holy, with lips that praise and worship Him, while their hearts are far from Him. The motive has everything to do with the heart. The kingdom operates on truth over tradition and surrender over surface image. Whenever our hearts are right, obedience flows. But when image leads, compromise always follows.
In today’s church, tradition often looks like titles, platform, or aesthetic spirituality—while hearts go untouched. We know the lingo. We know the look. But does He have our heart? The world has seen too many leaders fall not because they lacked knowledge, but because they lacked the power that should accompany it. The real, refining presence of God in our inner lives produces consecrated hearts that truly please God. God still asks: Why do you protect your image while neglecting your soul? The temptation to uphold reputation over repentance is strong; however, the kingdom was never built on crowds, but on surrendered hearts.
Jesus’ question demands our reflection today. Have I ever allowed habit to replace holiness? Have I made traditions more important than truth? Genuine godliness will cost us comfort, image, and sometimes influence—but it will change us. I don’t want the appearance of devotion, I want the power of transformation from the inside out. Obedience is evidence of transformation. The more I walk with Him, the more He peels away surface layers, until all that’s left is hunger for Him alone. That is the power of godliness.
Time of Reflection:
** External appearance is no substitute for internal obedience
** Religious habits can never replace spiritual transformation.
Heart Probe
** Have I allowed anything in my spiritual life to become more about performance than surrender.
References: TSK
Matt. 15:3
2 Tim 3:5
Is 29: 13
Col 2:8, 2:20-23
Titus 1:14
Rom 1:16
2 Cor 5:17
Chronological Study Bible by Nelson Thomas
Closing Prayer:
Lord, it’s so easy to let the world’s traditions influence us in the significant areas of our lives. I don’t want to have a form of godliness denying Your power in me to change not only my life, but those around me. Teach me to value obedience over optics and transformation over tradition. Examine my motives, and cleanse my heart. Let my worship be genuine and authentic. Amen
