Choosing the Bible Over Tradition”
Text: Mark 7:1–13 (KJV)
“Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.” – Mark 7:13
Introduction:
Many believers today are caught in a web of tradition. Not all tradition is bad—but when it replaces or nullifies God’s Word, it becomes dangerous. In Mark 7, Jesus confronts the Pharisees not for their religious devotion, but for elevating their traditions above God’s commandments.
Some people are so much into traditions to the point of making traditions the final authority, and not good. When they are challenged, they lose it, and get angry. Some do not even know why they believe what they believe.A Mighty Fortress Is Our God — The Story Behind the Hymn
This passage is a powerful reminder: our ultimate authority must be the Bible, not man-made rules.
I. The Confrontation (vv. 1–5)
“Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes… And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.”
– Mark 7:1–2
Explanation:
The Pharisees were disturbed, not by sin—but by broken tradition.
The washing of hands was not about hygiene but ritual purity, based on man-made oral laws, not Scripture.
Today, many people still “find fault” based on denominational rules, customs, or rituals rather than biblical truth.
We must ask: Am I judging others—or myself—based on tradition rather than God’s Word?
II. The Condemnation (vv. 6–9)
“This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.” – v. 6
“Laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men…” – v. 8
Explanation:
Jesus quotes Isaiah 29:13: outward worship without inward obedience.
The Pharisees clung to tradition even when it contradicted God’s Word.
Christ exposes their hypocrisy: religious activity masking spiritual deadness.
Application:
Do we sing hymns, say prayers, attend church, but ignore what God has actually said in His Word?
Are we guilty of lip service while our hearts are disconnected?
III. The Illustration (vv. 10–13)
“For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother… But ye say…” – v. 10–11
“Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition…” – v. 13
Explanation:
Jesus points to the Corban tradition: people were avoiding the command to care for their parents by declaring their possessions “dedicated to God.”
This man-made loophole canceled out a clear biblical command.
Application:
Anytime we allow religious systems or church customs to override Scripture, we’re doing the same thing.
It is dangerous to let culture, family expectations, or denominational heritage silence what the Bible clearly teaches.
IV. The Correction: Return to the Word
2 Timothy 3:16–17 – “All scripture is given by inspiration of God…”
Psalm 119:105 – “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet…”
Acts 17:11 – The Bereans searched the Scriptures daily to test what they heard.
Application:
- Be a Bible-driven Christian, not a tradition-bound churchgoer.
- Test every sermon, every teaching, every practice—by the Word of God.
Conclusion:
Tradition can be beautiful, but Scripture is binding. When the two conflict, we must do what the apostles did in Acts 5:29:
“We ought to obey God rather than men.”
Let us be known as people of the Book. Let us honor God with our hearts, not just our lips. Let us choose the Bible over tradition—every single time.
Call to Action:
- Examine your faith practices. Are they biblical or just habitual?
- Recommit today to read, believe, and live out the Word of God.
- When tradition and Scripture collide—choose the Bible.
