1-"This people draweth nigh unto me (the Messiah) with their mouth, and honoreth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me teaching for doctrines the commandments of men... they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind both shall fall into the ditch."-Matthew 15:14 (KJV)
2-5So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, "Why don't your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with 'unclean' hands?"
6He replied, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:
" 'These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
7They worship me in vain;
their teachings are but rules taught by men.'[b] 8You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men."-Mark 7
2007-06-29 01:41:25 · 11 answers · asked by Jeanmarie 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
To me, it means that there are some bodies of believers that are being led astray by leaders who profess to know Christ as savior, but do not. Their teachings are flawed and they will cause their followers to follow the wrong path in life.
Think now, is there any group of believers that you know of, that have practices in their churches, not mentioned in the Bible. Granted, they have been doing these things for a long time, but does that make it right? If it is not found in the Bible, then I question its validity. If it is found in the Bible, then I believe it.
2007-06-29 01:50:41 · answer #1 · answered by loufedalis 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
let me predict the first christian response.
"He's talking about the pharisees worshiping him in vain"
or
"He's talking about the people who worship him with their lips but they do so only for show"
or something like that
Here's my response
These passages mean that even though one might go to church or be really fundamentalist that doesn't mean that they are guaranteed to go to heaven. Jesus will say the same thing again at Judgement day. "Not all who cry lord, lord will enter the kingdom of heaven"
whats funny is that the very hypocrites Jesus is talking about probably don't realize they are hypocrites. I guarantee the fundies are the ones that Jesus will say those same lines to. Of course who am i to judge? Only god/jesus can judge these people as well as me.
2007-06-29 08:55:17 · answer #2 · answered by Cat's Eye Angie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To me it means that people worship Jesus by just praying and going to church and really just putting up a front but behind closed doors or outside the church they are completely different. They live like the world. People seem to forget that God sees and knows all and everything we do even behind closed doors. He knows whats in our hearts at all times so there is no escaping that. Men follow after men instead of following the word of God. So that is the blind leading the blind. I hope this helps you.
2007-06-29 08:48:57 · answer #3 · answered by aliciamars1 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
-5So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, "Why don't your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with 'unclean' hands?"
The 'unclean' hands was in reference to a specific way the Pharisees washed their hands, which was not from God.
This all just comes back to the law of man vs. the Law of God
2007-06-29 08:50:52 · answer #4 · answered by SCHWOL 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means that there are a lot of people who claim to be religious but don't really have it in their hearts, just their heads. These are the people that have created all the bad images of christians. The old character the church lady was one of these. That's what we mean when say some people aren't really christians. They have all the religion but none of the relationship.
2007-06-29 08:47:01 · answer #5 · answered by Sharon M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That passage is talking about the people of Israel. God is describing of how the people of Israel give lip service and teaching false doctrine. Remember Jesus was born king of Israel and is a Jew out of the tribe of Judah. This particular passage is referring to Israel.
2007-06-29 09:15:21 · answer #6 · answered by Justin J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
May each believer examine them in humility and prayerfulness. These words are directed to us who profess God and His Christ. This is a call to reexamine the labels and look beneath the surface of one's beliefs. True follower of Christ is easily spotted, for he reflects his Master's character.
For those who don't believe, these words should serve as a reminder that not everything that glitters is gold. Don't blame Chrsitianity. Instead examine Christ's claims and turn to Him yourselves.
2007-06-29 08:54:24 · answer #7 · answered by Mutations Killed Darwin Fish 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it describes the majority of the fundamentalist church in this country. They claim to be doing God's work, and truly belive they are doing what is right. But to most outsiders it seems obvious that they have strayed from
God's teaching.
2007-06-29 09:59:32 · answer #8 · answered by akschafer1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The above answers are good. We need to live continually as Christians. We aren't to be Sunday Christians... going to church on Sunday, and then living for the devil the rest of the week.
2007-06-29 08:49:39 · answer #9 · answered by RB 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To me,
They speak of true worship. Not just lip-service.....but REAL service to the Lord.
It also says that traditions are null & void when it comes to true saving grace.
2007-06-29 08:47:15 · answer #10 · answered by primoa1970 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋