Should you hold fast to the traditions of your religious organization?
What do the Scriptures say about following men’s traditions and religious leaders? It is interesting to observe, Yahweh has a lot to say on this matter! First, we see over and over in the Scriptures warnings that saints should not follow traditions of men but should follow Messiah. So, it is clear, if traditions of men contradict Messiah and His Word, saints should not follow those traditions!
Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Messiah.
Isaiah 29:13 Wherefore the Sovereign said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
Mark 7:6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8 For laying aside the commandment of Elohim, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of Elohim, that ye may keep your own tradition.
Matthew 15:2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 3 But he (i.e. Yah’shua) answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of Yahweh by your tradition?
8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Besides not following man-made traditions that contradict Yahweh’s Word, saints must also not follow any religious leader who does not 100% obey Yahweh and His Word. Spiritual seekers may think leaders of their religious organizations are good people doing good work and may have studied the Scriptures all their lives. But there have been false teachers since the beginning powered by Satan and his dominion. Let that sink in…false teachers that started from Messiah’s time empowered by Satan and his dominion masquerading as ministers of righteousness. You would have to believe that after 2,000 years of false teachers and Satan distorting the truth, many of today’s Christian Churches and their leaders are espousing man-made unbiblical doctrine.
Acts 20:29 For I (i.e. Paul) know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of Yahweh, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Messiah: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
2 Corinthians 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Messiah. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his (Satan’s) ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Jude 3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, unrighteous men, turning the grace of our Elohim into lasciviousness (i.e. filthy conduct), and denying the only Yahweh, and our Sovereign YahwehShua Messiah.
2 Peter 2:1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying YahwehShua who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction (i.e. spiritual loss) does not slumber. (NKJ)
Galatians 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Messiah unto another evangel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the evangel of Messiah. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other evangel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other evangel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed (i.e. divine judgement/spiritual loss).
And not only have there been false teachers since the beginning but in latter times (i.e. end of this age) some shall depart from the true faith of The Way of Yahweh. There is a very high likelihood based on world events that we are in the last days of this age (i.e. latter times). Therefore, saints must be diligent to obey Yahweh’s Word instead of men’s traditions and false doctrine.
2 Timothy 3:1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of Yahweh, 5 having a form of piety but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; (NKJ)
1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
Those leaders of your religious organization may come in sheep’s clothing and may have some truth, but you need to stay away if there are any false doctrines, even one lie. Rat poison is more than 95% good food and less than 5% poison. Even though it has a lot of good food, it still has the poison to kill. Remember, Scriptures tell us that no lie is of the truth.
Also, saints should observe their religious leaders and religious organizations to see if they have the Fruit of the Spirit and show love. Scriptures tell us by their fruit you should be able to tell a true prophet from a false prophet. And the number one Fruit of the Spirit is love! Yahweh’s definition of love consists of obeying His teachings and taking care of your neighbor. And the apostle Paul expands on love with his letter to the church at Corinth; Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. (NKJ 1Corinthians 13:4-8).
1 John 2:21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Messiah’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (NKJ)
Matthew 22:36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Yah’shua said unto him, Thou shalt love Yahweh thy Elohim with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
And if a truth seeker thinks their religious leaders and establishments could not be deceived think about this. The Jews in Yah’shua’s day really felt they had a handle on the Scriptures. They had great rabbis (i.e. teachers). They really felt they knew the Scriptures because they studied under such great men. But when He of whom the Scriptures spoke came face to face with them, most did not recognize Him. Not only did not they recognize Him, but the most zealous of them all, the Scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees, thought He did His miracles through Satan’s power.
There were many in Israel who would have believed in Him, but they stumbled under the influence of the Jewish leaders of that time. After all, most of the teachers almost unanimously declared Yah’shua to be a false prophet, a deceiver and blasphemer who was worthy of death on the stake! (Luke 23:20-31). And what Messiah said about the religious establishment of His day was not good.
Matthew 16:1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. 3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? 4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
Matthew 16:6 Then Yah’shua said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? 12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
Matthew 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation (i.e. judgement).
15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.
29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,
Messiah did not have a lot of good to say about the religious establishment during His time on earth as a man. The next logical question should be what do you think Messiah would say about the current religious establishment of today? Religious leaders today are just as blind as the Jewish leaders were after millennia of studying the Scriptures!
The Bible tells us that if there is any religious leader that does not obey the Scriptures including adding to or subtracting from the truth (Deuteronomy 4:2 and Proverbs 30:6), then we are commanded to stay away from that leader and their religious establishment.
2 Thessalonians 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Sovereign YahwehShua Messiah, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Sovereign YahwehShua Messiah, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
If saints are not supposed to follow religious leaders and the traditions of their religious organizations, what do the Scriptures tell us to follow? It is clear we must obey Yahweh’s Word even if it contradicts our religious leaders and their establishments. A true believer needs to prove all things through the Holy Scriptures, rightly dividing the Word of Truth, and daily studying the Scriptures to test beliefs.
Acts 17:10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto Yahweh, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of Yahweh.
John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Thessalonians 5:21 Prove (i.e. test) all things; hold fast that which is good.
Why do saints need to test all things through the Holy Scriptures? Because the Bible over and over tells us there are many false religious leaders, much false doctrine, and many traditions of men that contradict the Scriptures. The only way to know if you have truth is to study the Scriptures daily, testing all things, and holding on to what is good. Yahweh’s Word is truth and is profitable for instruction in righteousness.
John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Proverbs 30:5 Every word of Elohim is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. 6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
2 Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Messiah YahwehShua. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of Yahweh, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of Yahweh may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Another interesting point that Yahweh makes over and over is that the Holy Spirit will lead a truth seeker into all truth and righteousness. Therefore, a believer should not blindly follow the false doctrines of a religious leader but should first pray to Yahweh to allow His Holy Spirit to lead him into all truth and righteousness, followed by studying the Holy Scriptures for truth. A true saint should want Yahweh’s truth at any cost.
1 Corinthians 2:10 But Yahweh hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of Yahweh. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of Yahweh knoweth no man, but the Spirit of Yahweh. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of Yahweh; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of Yahweh. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Spirit teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of Yahweh: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1 John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
John 14:25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (also see John 16:13-14)
Some feel better with numbers on their side. Many join or stay with large denominations or churches because it makes them feel secure that their choice is right by seeing many members. But is this Scriptural? What did Messiah say about the number of His followers?
Luke 12:31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of Yahweh; and all these things shall be added unto you. 32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Saints need to hold fast to the truth of the Scriptures because the Father is looking for those who will worship him in Spirit and Truth not man-made traditions and lies. And if you follow Yahweh in truth, that truth will make you a true disciple and will set you free.
John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 Yahweh is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
John 8:31 Then said Yah’shua to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
So, Yahweh’s Word is clear: the lies of religious leaders and men’s traditions are not what Yahweh is looking for in a believer. He wants us to obey Him and His Word and that we should never follow any lie. Yahweh is truth and cannot lie.
Titus 1:1 Paul, a servant of Yahweh, and an apostle of YahwehShua Messiah, according to the faith of Yahweh’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after righteousness; 2 In hope of eternal life, which Yahweh, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
Psalm 119:163 I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.
Those who practice lies and do not obey His Word are not of Yahweh but are of Satan.
John 8:43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. 46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? 47 He that is of Yahweh heareth Yahweh’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of Yahweh.
Jeremiah 9:3 “And like their bow they have bent their tongues for lies. They are not valiant for the truth on the earth. For they proceed from evil to evil, And they do not know Me,” says Yahweh. (NKJ)
Proverbs 13:5 A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.
The Scriptures are also very clear about what happens to those who do not love Yahweh’s truth and follow lies.
2 Thessalonians 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom YahwehShua shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause Yahweh shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Proverbs 12:22 Lying lips are abomination to Yahweh: but they that deal truly are his delight.
Revelation 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
A truth seeker has a choice to make: obey the truth of Yahweh’s Word or the many lies of your religious leaders and their establishments. The choice you make will determine if you will have the right to enter the gates of New Jerusalem where Yahweh and the Lamb reside.
1 Peter 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Messiah, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
HalleluYah
(2/13c)