September 9, 2012
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The Rules
My Dad was a pastor, and I was brought up in a Christian home. My upbringing was very strict and legalistic. You were not really encouraged to hear from God for yourself so much as to just follow the church rules, and there were a lot of them! You did not have to ask God if something was wrong, because the church told you what was right and what was wrong. (Gal 5:16 AMP) But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).
I remember having arguments with my Dad because I wanted to know WHY something was wrong, and he would tell me "It just is," which did not satisfy me at all. I mean, if something is wrong, there must be a reason, right? Sometimes I admit I wondered if he even KNEW why some things were wrong. Maybe he was just saying they were wrong because, like me, when he was a kid he had been told they were.
Now, while it is the job of the church to teach you right from wrong, I think it is a mistake to NOT teach people how to listen to the Holy Spirit. He lives in us, and the Bible says HE is our teacher and will lead us into all truth. (John 16:13) It is important to develop a close relationship with the Holy Spirit. He sends conviction to us when we are walking in a wrong way, and gives us peace when we make right decisions.
(1John 2:27 NLT) But you have received the Holy Spirit, and He lives within you, so you don't need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what He teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as He has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.
If we are always counting on the church to tell us what to think and what to do, we never need to learn to rely on the Holy Spirit. I think this can be dangerous. The church cannot follow us everywhere we go, while the Holy Spirit is always with us. I have really tried to to learn to listen to the Holy Spirit. He is so wise. The Bible does not say to be controlled by the church, but by the Holy Spirit who lives within us.
I used to explain to my kids when they were little that the Holy Spirit is a little bit like a traffic light. I know that is very simplistic, but kids are simple. Sometimes when we pray about something, the Holy Spirit gives us a green light. Other times we get a definite STOP! Then, there are those "yellow light situations" where we may be cautioned to slow down and be careful.
When I pray about something, and I feel God's peace in my heart, I can be confident that all is well. His peace guides and protect our hearts. We can trust that.
(Philippians 4:7 NLT) Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Honestly, it is a lot easier to live by a set of rules than it is to walk in the Spirit. I think that is why so many people push for the rules. It's nice to have it all laid out for you, you know? But the thing is, sometimes you may face a situation that the rules do not cover. Or, sometimes, you follow the rules carefully, but things turn out all wrong. Or sometimes, you doing everything "strictly by the book" ends up really hurting someone. Then what?
God wants us to have a minute by minute relationship with Him. He wants permission to lead us. He wants us to trust in Him, not in a bunch of rules. Yes, He did give us the Ten Commandments, and they appear to be a set of rules. But I think one reason He gave us those was to show us how much we need Him. Most of us have broken at least one of those rules. That's why we need His saving grace!
(Gal 5:18 NLT) But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.
The Holy Spirit will never contradict scripture. He will never lead you to do anything that is against the Bible. Following His leading is just more personal -- more individual. Every situation is different, but the rules do not allow for any of that. Rules do not love. Rules cannot show mercy.
Learn to live letting the Holy Spirit lead. Learn to listen to Him. It is so much more rewarding than just following a bunch of rules.
Comments (11)
Good reminder, Momma... and your post reminds me to come back to Xanga more often! I've not logged in here at all since early-2012, I believe!
nice
they explained it to me that it was like a horse in the pasture and there is a fence up and we can run and play all over but you can't go outside the fence.
well, I liked that cause I've seen horses and cows leaning on the fence wanting to get out cause the grass always looks better on the other side of the fence.
I see my little grandson who is 2yrs old and he's is just so sweet and says the nicest things but then he can be a little terror and he looks at me like what do you think of that granny? I hope I let him know I have unconditional love for him but that doesn't mean unconditional approval.
I started off my Christian walk living by rules. I did not know it was legalism. Then I started reading the Bible through every year starting in 1965. I also read good Christian books. I soon learned about the Holy Spirit--and Christ living in me with His resurrection power. I am not perfect, but I feel better now than with rules.
frank
I was raised by a pastor-missionary dad and mom. With tons of does and mostly don't, lots of cannots and better nots, or ELSE, life was dreary, weary, defeating . Thanks to Andrew Farley's The Naked Gospel, and Church Without Religion, I have been pulled up out of that legalistic nonsense and I understand GOD'S GRACE!!!!
@Richgem - His grace really is amazing!
I do think our parents meant well. I think they were just doing what they had been taught. It's sad, really, when there is so much more than just rules!
The Holy Spirit ministered to me in a fabulous way this morning as I spent some time in his Word. His Spirit is the greatest gift of my life.
Amen to that.
I think we both think alike...
Well said! Always love reading your posts. I always leave with an "amen" in my heart!
@DanishDoll - I do believe that my dad did as he was taught, and my mom didn't. She was much younger than her sibs and was quite indulged. Life was all about her. Then later, after becoming the pastor/missionary wife, she became fearful and controlling. I sense that she still battles the old ways and old memories that alot of us get bound up in, and is even more fearful, but is more loving toward me, at least. And I am so very grateful for that love!
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