Give Me a Break

            Legalism and spiritual abuse is a common problem and is widely practiced in the institutional churches of today. The norm is to have a spiritual hierarchy system where the pastor is set up (resembling that of a CEO) to rule over those who sit in the congregation.  Week after week, members are repeatedly whipped with the do's and don'ts, can's and can'ts, will's and won'ts of that particular ministry. Followers are often told that if they're not going to submit to the rules and regulations of that particular ministry; to seek fellowship elsewhere. But, they  are often  too afraid to leave because they've been brainwashed into believing that as believers they must get in a church and submit to that authority. Believers are often told that they cannot seek GOD by studying and praying alone at home.  You must be accountable to someone because pastors give account for our souls on judgment day.

            The author in Hebrews rebukes the believers by telling them "You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others." (NLT-Transformation Study Bible)  According to the commentators, "People cannot be right with God by keeping the Old Testament law (Gal 2:21. Only through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross can justice and peace meet." So, then why do believers of today think that they can be made right by rules and regulations mandated by the traditions and rules of men; primarily pastors? Maybe, it has something to do with Hebrews 13: 17 which states "Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over our souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit." (NLT-Transformation Study Bible) According to Lois E. Gibson, "this verse is often misused by those in leadership who want to control members of the congregation in matters which are personal or to force their interpretation of what constitutes Christian conduct. There are some in church who  feel they must adhere to a extra-biblical lists of dos and don'ts simply because the leadership said to follow these, though they themselves do not find them to be biblical." (spiritualabuse.org)

            Well, I tend to agree with Sister Lois. It sounds just like what I stated in the introduction. I also, tend to agree with the commentators of the NLT Transformation Study Bible. According to their interpretation, "the Pharisees said that righteousness consisted of performing certain actions, but Jesus said it centered in the attitudes of the heart. Likewise, the Pharisees had a list of external actions that they deemed sinful, but Jesus explained that sin came from the attitudes of the heart. Jesus deliberately violated the Sabbath traditions on several occasions. He had taught the people that mere external laws could never save them or make them holy; true righteousness had to come from the heart"  (NLT-Transformation Study Bible) WOW! So, then I ask again, why are we as born-again believers constantly subjecting ourselves to the traditions of men? Why do we remain in these spiritually abusive institutions that oppress us with unbiblical doctrines? What's wrong with our spiritual discernment? If we're reading/studying the word of God; how is it that we NEVER seem to reach the conclusion that the system we're under IS NOT based upon the principles taught by our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST? " One pastor said that most people who are under the religious system don't REALIZE that their being abused (Steve Lumbley). Jesus stated clearly that obedience to tradition could make a person disobedient to the Word of God." (NLT-Transformation Study Bible) Furthermore, "unbiblical tradition is something external, while God's truth is internal, in the heart. People obey tradition to please people and to gain status (Gal 1:14), but we obey the Word to please God. Tradition deals with ritual, while Gods' truth deals with reality. Tradition brings empty words to the lips, but truth penetrates the heart and changes the life. Actually, tradition can rob a person of the power of God's Word. Unfortunately, today evangelical churches have many unbiblical traditions, human-made teachings that are often considered as authoritative as the Word of God-even though they contradict his Word. By obeying these traditions, Christians rob themselves of the power of God's Word. God wants us to give him our hearts and not just our words."  (NLT-Transformation Study Bible)

            The commentators of the NLT-Transformation Bible go on to say "the Pharisees were the traditionalist of their day, while the Sadducees were quite liberal." (NLT-Transformation Study Bible) But, who are they today? Do you know of any? Does the pastor of your local congregation fit the description in this writing? Do you know of anyone who belongs to a congregation where the Pastor is constantly beating them down with dos and don'ts, will's and won'ts, cans and can'ts? The answer is-you probably do; because most of us come out of these institutions. "Both the Pharisees and the Sadducees had infected the religious beliefs of Israel with false doctrine. The Pharisees were legalists who taught that only obedience to the law and the traditions would please God and usher in his Kingdom for Israel." (NLT-Transformation Study Bible) Well, doesn't that sound like the teachers of our local assemblies today? Don't they teach us that salvation plus their traditions (rules and regulations) will get you in the Kingdom of God? "Jesus' opponents had a false concept of righteousness. To the Pharisees, righteousness meant outward conformity to God's law. They ignored the inward condition of the heart.  They had a false concept of ministry. To them, ministry meant handing down laws to the people and adding to their burdens. By teaching human traditions instead of God's truth, they remove the key to knowledge and closed the door to salvation. Usually legalists are sticklers for details, but blind to great principles. The Pharisees majored on rules and regulations. Jesus measured spirituality in terms of character; the Pharisees measured it in terms of religious activities and conformity to external laws. Jesus taught humility and sacrificial service; the Pharisees were proud and used people to accomplish their own purposes." (NLT-Transformation Study Bible) But, you know the interesting thing is that I was reading Hebrews the other day. And according to chapter 7 v 19, "the law never made anything perfect." (NLT-Transformation Study Bible) So, if the law never made anything perfect; how are the traditions taught today making us any better?

            Another interesting thing is when I read Hebrews 4:12-13, it says "For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edge sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable." (NLT-Transformation Study Bible)

            According to Lois E. Gibson, "leadership twists verses such as Hebrews 13:17 to make people do what they want. Then people are kept in the group through fear and a distorted vision of the Bible and God as well as their relationship with leadership." (spirtualabuse.org) Does what she's saying sound familiar? Can't you relate? I certainly can. I come from a hoard of spiritual abusive backgrounds. However, sister Lois goes on to tell us that "Jesus taught that Christians would not be like those who 'lorded' over others. If you wanted to be a great leader, you had to become as a servant to others. That should be the heart and attitude of leadership in the church. They are to lead and guide and help those in the congregation to grow and develop their individual ministries/gifts. They are not to be a dictator, nor are they to demand things which are not biblically mandated or become involved in all aspects of a believer's life." EXCELLENT my dear sister-EXCELLENT. The sister goes on to tell us, "the scripture is not stating that a believer is to do anything a leader in the church tells him/her to do. None of the apostles, nor Jesus, ever taught this. It means we are to be teachable, to be persuadable concerning the things of God and the truth of his Word. A leader is not a commander, or a 'lord,' but is to be a servant according to Jesus's words. It is difficult when we attend a church or group that uses Bible verses but gives them a different meaning or slant than what was intended. You hear it over and over so much that you believe it and act accordingly. It is therefore hard to see past what you were taught to the truth of what the scripture is actually teaching. This is like the Pharisees and the Sabbath. They reinterpreted what God set out to do with the Sabbath and added additional rules to 'help' believers follow what God had ordained. That is why they were furious when Jesus would heal on a Sabbath day (Have you ever noticed just how many healings were done on the Sabbath by him?). It broke THEIR interpretation of the Sabbath, but not God's." (spiritualabuse.org)

            I went to e-sword and looked up the word servant. According to e-sword, the word servant means,  by implication to serve, till,) enslave, etc.: -   keep in bondage, be bondmen, bond,  labour, serve, (be, become) servant , do (use) service, till, transgress, (set a) work, be wrought, worshipper specifically a Christian teacher and pastor (technically a deacon or deaconess): - deacon, minister, servant  a slave (literally or figuratively, involuntarily or voluntarily; frequently therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency): - bond man),  enslave (literally or figuratively): - bring into (be under) bondage,  become (make) servant.

            In Matthew 20:24, Jesus calls his leaders and tells them, "You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave." (NLT-Transformation Study Bible). WOW. That's strange isn't it? Slaves and servants DON'T give orders. Normally, these are the people who TAKE orders; aren't they?  

             Do you think you can be set free from the bondage of legalism; and abusive/authoritative leaders who dominate the RELIGIOUS system? My advice is that you began to REALLY seek GOD. Open your bibles and REALLY began to study. Ask GOD for wisdom/understanding and guidance.

Crystal L Whitfield