The Lure of Legalism
By Michael Ewing
12/1/2024
By definition, legalism in the Bible represents “a mindset that places excessive emphasis on adhering to rules and regulations, often with the belief that salvation is earned through good works or obedience to the law”.
The term legalism is not found in the scriptures but heavily dealt with in the New Testament as groups would infiltrate those who found freedom in Christ, to return to some form of practice in order to be pleasing to God (Ex: Galatians).
Those in legalism never think they are in legalism; Legalists just believe that their way is more elite or perfectly pleasing to the Lord, while there’s often a heavy sense of judgment on other believers who don’t follow that way (and/or sometimes an isolation from other believers) and a joy that’s less and less present in their lives.
Even true believers can be legalistic. We are instructed, rather, to be gracious to one another: “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters” (Romans 14:1). Sadly, there are those who feel so strongly about non-essential doctrines that they will run others out of their fellowship, not even allowing the expression of another viewpoint. In the error of their own biblical interpretations and even own traditions, they make stumbling blocks for the grace of God.
Legalism can take the form of (not an exhaustive list):
To avoid falling into the trap of legalism, we can start by holding fast to the words of the apostle John, “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). I realize there is a tough line to draw sometimes between legalism and liberty, and I am here to help you walk it in a matter avoiding all extremes while remaining free in Christ Jesus!
-P.Michael
By Michael Ewing
12/1/2024
By definition, legalism in the Bible represents “a mindset that places excessive emphasis on adhering to rules and regulations, often with the belief that salvation is earned through good works or obedience to the law”.
The term legalism is not found in the scriptures but heavily dealt with in the New Testament as groups would infiltrate those who found freedom in Christ, to return to some form of practice in order to be pleasing to God (Ex: Galatians).
Those in legalism never think they are in legalism; Legalists just believe that their way is more elite or perfectly pleasing to the Lord, while there’s often a heavy sense of judgment on other believers who don’t follow that way (and/or sometimes an isolation from other believers) and a joy that’s less and less present in their lives.
Even true believers can be legalistic. We are instructed, rather, to be gracious to one another: “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters” (Romans 14:1). Sadly, there are those who feel so strongly about non-essential doctrines that they will run others out of their fellowship, not even allowing the expression of another viewpoint. In the error of their own biblical interpretations and even own traditions, they make stumbling blocks for the grace of God.
Legalism can take the form of (not an exhaustive list):
- Performance Spirit: Maybe the individual doesn’t necessarily believe they are saved by their works, but they live like they won’t have the Father’s love unless they (over)perform for it. So in a way they are trying to earn his love, feeling unworthy of it if they don’t perform well. Often this is because this may have been the way their father demonstrated his love- when they accomplished feats that warranted his affection.
- holding tightly to religious traditions that don’t have strong biblical mandates (must attend church in fine clothes, adamant about particular versions of the bible or styles of worship music/hymns, holding tightly to how their church does their liturgy).
- Returning to aspects/entirety of the Jewish law: Examples to name a few- extreme observance of sabbath, feast days, only calling God by His Jewish names as revealed in Torah, legally bound to no-pork diets, etc; This in a sense is performance also, but often with the mentality that all other alternatives are less-than-pleasing to God and/or pagan. These individuals have such a way of mixing the message of Jesus, the cross and his grace PLUS the law.
- Believers that live by the ‘DO-NOTs”: Don’t allow instruments, don’t allow women to sit with men, don’t allow you into service if not in proper shoes, and a list of activities prohibited by God simply because they don't feel the scripture gives specific examples of affirming it's allowance.
The apostle Paul warns us of legalism in Colossians 2:20-23: “Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: ‘Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!’? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings
- “Christian don’t dance, can’t go to movies, can’t sing secular songs and be saved”
- “God’s not pleased with Christmas and Easter- only with the feast days mentioned in Old Testament. Those are the only holidays the Lord is pleased with”. [Then go celebrate Thanksgiving…]
- Someone who refuses to go to a church service as long as that church has a Christmas tree in their lobby.
- I had a believer tell me a few years ago that women were not allowed to lead worship
- I was told by a believe that communion had to be taken from the same (1) loaf of bread, and the everyone in the congregation had to drink from the same (1) cup or it wasn’t biblical. It wasn’t merely what they did by their own convictions, they felt everyone else doing it differently was not in accordance with scripture.
- King James Version-only; I have literally been hunted down to be asked what version I was carrying, and have had people at churches that I preached at mail me “Why the NIV is from hell” after using it in my sermon.
- “I don’t eat pork and don’t believe God is pleased if we do”. (kind way of making you feel condemned)
- Individuals that don’t permit their family or kids to do any activity or have any enjoyment on Friday at sundown to Saturday at Sundown. It’s beyond just ‘honoring the Lord’, they are bound to it.
- I knew a believer that, in church, the leaders did not permit musical instruments (unbiblical in their view) and worship had to be vocal only, but all of them could get in the car and listen to worship music (with instruments) on the radio or CD on the way home and that was permitted.
- An adult man and leader in the community told me the last time he went to church was multiple decades ago because at Sunday School, his Sunday school teacher shamed him in front of the whole class for wearing an NFL sweatshirt in church, distinguishing it as “inappropriate in God’s house”.
To avoid falling into the trap of legalism, we can start by holding fast to the words of the apostle John, “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). I realize there is a tough line to draw sometimes between legalism and liberty, and I am here to help you walk it in a matter avoiding all extremes while remaining free in Christ Jesus!
-P.Michael