I am the father of three, husband of one, and lover of the Gospel message. I simply seek to spread the Word of God unadulterated and in context with a special emphasis on supporting recovery from traumatic and spiritually abusive religion.
What Is Legalism?
Welcome to the Finding Freedom series on Divide The Word. Much of this blog and ministry is dedicated to supporting individuals who want to leave unhealthy religious environments and to finding Freedom in Christ. Today, we are exploring the topic, ‘What Is Legalism?’
Legalism tends to be one of the primary characteristics of unhealthy religious movements. And yet, we must carefully define what that legalism is! Without definition, we run the risk of declaring something legalistic based on our own ignorance. Additionally, we can become so dogmatic in our opposition to legalism that we risk missing God’s true commandments.
If we had to define legalism within one sentence, it would be this: When man invents any standard by which we gain God’s approval, justification, or salvation, they have fallen from Grace and into Legalism.
In truth, we could substitute the word legalism for ‘commandments of men‘ here. Furthermore, it is precisely this issue that has wreaked havoc on the universal church (ekklesia) for millennia. (Matthew 23) And, this is why the Christian church has the number of denominations it has.
Additionally, as we continue reading scripture, this bears out to be true. In the very next verse, Mark 7:8, Jesus continues saying, “You leave the commandments of God and hold to the tradition of men.“
What Is Legalism: Traditions of Men
Of course, no legalist would openly call themselves a legalist. This is what makes the word so challenging to pin down. Every movement I know that is legalistic, when confronted, will always say, “It isn’t legalism. It’s the Bible!” Some are willing to admit that their positions are traditions, harkening back to their forefathers who fought to uphold and maintain them. And yet, they will also say that those traditions are continuations or interpretations of a Biblical principle.
Furthermore, even the Apostle Paul said to continue in the “traditions as I have delivered them to you“. (1 Corinthians 11:2) So how can we label traditions as legalism? That is a great question, and there are some great answers to it.
Tradition is not Equivalent to the Commandments of God
Tradition becomes legalism when it is taught as a commandment of God, as if it were part of Scripture. That is to say, scripture isn’t complete in itself. Somehow, God failed to adequately define His commandments to us, made known in Scripture by revelation. And because of that failure, man needs to expand upon them.
In many legalistic and high-control movements, leaders often teach that it is their responsibility to establish (invent) guardrails around the flock. And, they always use two passages to defend this fallacy. John 10:27-28, “my sheep hear my voice“, and Hebrews 13:17, “obey them that rule over you“. In this fallacy, these leaders claim to be the infallible voice of God and our absolute authority.
This was the very condemnation upon the Pharisees as we see it in the Gospel. They taught that their traditions were equivalent to God’s commandments. That obedience to their tradition was equivalent to obedience to God. Jesus never minced words regarding this type of leadership. Matthew 23 and Ezekiel 34 are both chapters dedicated to this issue and the harm it can cause.
Tradition is not Superior to the Commandments of God
This is the tragedy that occurred in the medieval church, which led me to write the article The Similarities of Catholicism and Oneness Pentecostalism. When a man becomes elevated to the position of Vicar of Christ, or the sole conduit of God’s will, their words become Scripture. And Scripture commands that we are not to add to or take away from Scripture. (Revelation 22:18-19)
It reminds me of the time I felt called to ministry. After explaining the experience, dreams, and desire to my then pastor in the Oneness Pentecostal system, his response was, “If that was from God, he would have told me, and he hasn’t yet.” It is this tragically misleading belief that the Pastor is the sole voice of God, the conductor of the Spirit, that has led so many astray.
When we explore modern-day cults, Jim Jones and the Peoples Temple, David Koresh and the Branch Davidians, or Marshall Applewhite and the Heaven’s Gate group, we see a striking similarity. In each case, leaders set themselves up as the voice of God. If God has a will, it will only be made known through them. And that means, whatever traditions they invent are the good and true Commandments of God.
We know today that God speaks to all of us through his Son, not just through a prophet, a priest, or a pastor. (Hebrews 1:1) We know that the Word of God (Scripture) is to instruct us in all things. (2 Timothy 3:16) Furthermore, we know that the Holy Spirit has come to remind us of truth, to teach us all things, and to guide us in the Will of God. (John 14:26, 1 John 2:27, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22)
What is Legalism: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Freedom
In Dr. Steven Hassan’s book, Combatting Cult Mind Control, he explains the B.I.T.E. model in defining cultic control. As a former member of the Unification Church, a radical South Korean Pentecostal-style cult, Dr. Hassan had very relevant experiences to share. The founder of the Unification church, Sun Myung Moon, believed and taught that he himself was the second coming of Christ.
Thus, as formerly defined, Moon’s words were God’s commandments. And every one of those commandments was made to control four things: Your Behavior, Information intake, Thoughts, and Emotions. This information was so relevant that Dr. Hassan was asked by the U.S. Government to help identify this mind-controlling behavior in politics and even other world governments.
As formerly written about in Finding Freedom: What is Freedom in Christ, there is no longer a barrier between us and the Holiest of Holies. Part of that freedom means that God is now communicating His will directly to each of us. Not through a puppet master or a dictatorial leader. (1 Peter 5:3, Matthew 18:1-4, Luke 22:25-27) We can now pray and read God’s word to learn how to control our own behaviors.
One thing is true for many Christian believers who study God’s word and genuinely want to please him: Their behavior is governed by God, not man’s inventions.
What Is Legalism: Behavioral Control
Legalistic leaders will control every aspect of people’s lives. They often will choose who you can date or marry. They will determine what clothing you can wear and how you can style your hair.
Additionally, they will determine your social life. What events can you participate in, whom you may befriend, and what activities your own children may participate in. They may even go so far as to demand visits to your homes to ensure nothing improper is taking place. And, this behavior leads to cannibalism within the group. Members seeking reputation and reward will alert leaders to other members behaving in ways out of line with the leader’s demands.
Scripture makes it clear that unrepentant sin must be dealt with by the Church. And yet, legalism turns things God never declared sin into sin.
The Holy Spirit is given to each believer to be their governor, and the Scripture is the Voice of God (and reason) to any who hears (reads) His voice. (Galatians 4:1-7)
What Is Legalism: Thought Control
Legalistic leaders will control your thoughts and way of thinking by demanding assimilation into their way of thinking. A pastor once said, “If you aren’t thinking like I think, something is wrong in your spirit.” Another pastor I heard said, “If you want a blessing from God, you have to turn off your brain.“
As we look at the history of the Christian church and the modern secular world, one parallel is observable: thinking for oneself is a characteristic deemed problematic. Another pastor I heard said, “I don’t have a problem with people who ask questions, just so long as they accept my answers.” And in secular academia, we know students who have had their grades punished by professors when they didn’t like being challenged or questioned.
Legalism is a system run by kings, and kings do not like competition. Good leaders encourage questions. They demand that their pupils think. They want their pupils to disagree. And they want them to find their own conclusions. They don’t clip others’ wings; they grow them.
What is Legalism: Information Control
During the rise of the internet and subsequently, social media, legalists were in a panic. Many messages said: “Be careful who you listen to!“. Others went so far as to ban online media, saying followers were to only listen to what they themselves said and taught. Furthermore, many demanded that tracking software be placed on followers’ computers and devices. They would heatedly declare, “God put a check in my spirit about that!“
Many legalist and holiness movements ban radio and television, noting that you could receive information that hinders faith. And so too do these people declare education faulty. Right now, there are pastors preaching messages against this reading blog and other similar ministries. Why?
To control the flow of information. The Gloriavale Community sect in New Zealand avoided newspapers, radio, and television. The leader believed that outside information was a source of temptation and would lead his people away from his control. And it did. Thank God.
What is Legalism: Emotional Control
History teaches many lessons on how to gain control over other people. Netflix has a pseudo-documentary titled “How To Become a Tyrant”, illustrating these lessons. From Adolf Hitler to Jim Jones, to modern-day television commercials, our emotions are the puppet master’s strings.
Marketers know that if they can pique your emotions, you are more likely to buy. The music industry knows the right keys and chord progressions to play that will impact your mood. Your feelings are the focal point for all who wish to manipulate you.
Another preacher once said, “You’ll know when I’m preaching the truth, because you’ll feel it!” And this came after over one hour of pumping, high-adrenaline music, and worship. By then, they would feel anything he had to say. If you can manipulate emotions, you can control behavior and garner absolute control over others.
This is the biggest challenge facing Charismatic and Pentecostal circles today. The reasoning of the mind has been replaced by the most deceitful option of all: the heart. (Jeremiah 17:9) Legalism knows that if the heart can be controlled, the mind is unnecessary. And when the mind (reasoning) is gone, there are no limits to their control over you.
Conclusion
Jesus referred to the hypocritical Pharisees as a brood of vipers because legalism is a poison. It poisons our minds and our hearts. Legalism turns our focus from Christ’s works to man’s works. Rather than trusting in and obeying God’s commandments, we begin to believe we honor God by following man’s (false) commandments.
Viper venom kills by causing rapid blood clotting in the bloodstream. Those clots block the flow of blood to organs, the brain, and the heart, killing the victim via heart attack and stroke. Leviticus 17:11 rightly declares to us that “the life is in the blood“. Legalism kills us by stopping the flow of Christ’s blood as seen in his Mercy and Grace. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
The Apostle Paul declares to us in Galatians 5:4 that we are “severed from Christ” because of legalism. If we think that we are justified before God by the law, man’s commandments, then we are fallen from Grace.
Finally, legalism substitutes our dependance and accountability to God for something cheap. As a former legalist, my focus was never on maintaining a right standing before God. It was always focused on maintaing a right standing before the pastor. His approval mattered. His words of affirmation mattered. My sin before God was laid bare, but as long as the pastor didn’t find out, it was ok.
Legalism trades walking in the Spirit for living by rules and regulations. But Paul again tells us in Galatians 5:16 that if we walk in the Spirit, our behaviors will change. We will not satisfy the desires of the flesh. (feelings) Our accountability will be toward God. If we walk in the Spirit, we are not under the law. And those who belong to Christ (have His Spirit) crucify the fleshly passions and desires for themselves. (Galatians 5:24)
Legalism is the antithesis of Grace and truth and focuses on the false god called man.
