The Word of God Above All Traditions: A Biblical Reflection
The Pharisees’ Question and the Blindness of Tradition
In the days of Jesus, the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees observed the disciples eating without washing their hands. To their eyes, this was a scandal, a breach of sacred tradition, a violation of the customs handed down by their ancestors. They had grown so devoted to ritual and human laws that their hearts were blind. They could not see the presence of the Savior who stood before them — the One who came to liberate people from the bondage of lifeless observance and to restore meaning to their worship.
The Pharisees approached Jesus and asked, “Why do Your disciples eat without washing their hands?” (Matthew 15:2). In their understanding, obedience to the Law of Moses, combined with scrupulous observance of human traditions, guaranteed righteousness. Ritual purity, daily prayers, washing before meals, and strict adherence to ancestral customs were all seen as essential. In their minds, these practices outweighed even the spirit of God’s commandments.
Yet Jesus challenged them with a profound question: “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?” (Matthew 15:3). Here, He revealed the depth of human blindness. The disciples’ “error” was minor — a failure to observe a man-made custom — but the Pharisees’ error was far greater: they neglected the divine commandment to honor God and their parents in order to preserve human tradition.
The Danger of Hypocrisy
This distortion of God’s law exemplifies the danger of hypocrisy. True devotion is not measured by the meticulous performance of rituals or outward displays of piety, but by the alignment of heart, mind, and action with God’s will. The Pharisees had mastered appearances, yet their hearts were far from God. They honored tradition while neglecting love, mercy, and justice.
Jesus’ rebuke was not merely for His own time; it resonates through all generations: human traditions, no matter how venerable, must never supersede God’s commandments. Every church, every community, and every believer must examine the inherited practices and customs of their forefathers to discern whether they support or obstruct God’s will. Where a tradition prevents obedience to God’s law, courage is required to set it aside.
As the Apostle Peter said: “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). Human approval may tempt us to follow custom, but it cannot replace the obedience owed to God. A person who prioritizes human opinion above divine command becomes pleasing to men, but cannot please God.
The Heart Versus the Hands
Jesus taught that true defilement does not come from the outside, from what one eats or whether one follows ceremonial washing. He said: It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this is what defiles a person
(Matthew 15:11).
Here, Jesus draws attention to the heart. Thoughts, feelings, and intentions arise from the innermost part of a person, shaping every word and action. From the heart emerge evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, and slander (Matthew 15:19–20). These, not unwashed hands, truly corrupt a person.
Spiritual blindness is far worse than physical blindness. A physically blind person may stumble through the world, but a spiritually blind person cannot perceive God, the light of the world (John 8:12). Leaders who lack Christ cannot guide their flock toward light; they lead them into darkness. Jesus warned of this, saying, If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit
(Matthew 15:14).
True Devotion and Godly Love
God desires people whose hearts are fully devoted to Him, not merely lips that praise Him. He loved us with all His heart and requires the same in return. Piety without love, ritual without compassion, and devotion without mercy are hollow. The Pharisees exemplified this emptiness — outwardly righteous but inwardly corrupt, performing rituals for recognition rather than obedience.
True devotion is expressed in caring for others, especially one’s family and the needy. God’s law commands honoring parents and extending mercy. The Pharisees, however, preferred to give offerings to the temple rather than to provide for their parents, valuing recognition and applause over duty and love.
Isaiah prophesied their hypocrisy centuries earlier: These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is worthless, for they teach human rules as doctrines
(Matthew 15:7–9). Jesus applied this prophecy to His contemporaries, showing that true worship must emerge from the heart, not mere compliance with external rituals.
The Path of the Spirit
Spiritual maturity begins with the transformation of the heart. The law is fulfilled not by empty obedience, but by faith, love, and integrity. God’s Spirit regenerates the soul, replacing hardness and pride with mercy and truth. As Ezekiel says: I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you
(Ezekiel 36:26).
A person guided by the Spirit understands that outward conformity cannot replace inward righteousness. One may perform religious acts meticulously, yet without the Spirit, the heart remains distant from God. Conversely, the Spirit-filled believer acts in love, justice, and compassion, allowing God’s Word to shape both mind and deeds.
Jesus emphasized this principle repeatedly. He revealed that what defiles a person is not ritual impurity, but the evil that arises from the heart. Words, actions, and intentions spring from the heart, reflecting the true nature of the individual. The spiritually awakened heart mirrors God’s truth, while the hardened heart mirrors human deceit and pride.
The Call to Inner Transformation
The reflection upon the Pharisees teaches a timeless lesson: one must examine the heart, not merely the outward practice. Spirituality is not measured by adherence to tradition alone, but by obedience to God and the cultivation of a heart aligned with His will.
Believers are called to practice discernment. Traditions and rituals are valuable when they nurture love, mercy, and faith. They are destructive when they obstruct God’s law or replace it with human approval. Courage is required to reject customs that hinder true devotion.
Jesus’ teaching reminds us that God desires authenticity, not performance. Worship in truth and spirit (John 4:24) requires a heart that loves God fully and serves others selflessly. True spirituality flows from inner transformation, guided by the Holy Spirit, rather than mere external compliance.
Conclusion: Living by the Word
Let us, therefore, strive to place the Word of God above all human traditions. Let our hearts guide our actions, ensuring that every ritual, every custom, and every act of devotion arises from love, faith, and obedience to God.
May we be vigilant against the temptation to honor human approval over divine command. May our hands serve others, our words reflect truth, and our hearts remain pure. Let us embrace spiritual sight over blindness, mercy over pride, and love over hollow ritual.
The Word of God is eternal. It calls us to live with integrity, to seek transformation, and to serve with compassion. When we allow God’s Word to guide us fully, we honor Him not with mere lips, but with our hearts, lives, and deeds.
May your heart be steadfast in His Word. May your life shine as a testimony to His truth. And may the grace of God dwell within you, now and forever.
Amen.
Author: Mark Vardanyan, Theologian