How much of what we do in this world is due to habit or tradition and not really in the line of following the commandments of God. Take going to church as an example. We tend to go to church on Sunday’s, but why? Are we doing it to worship the Father and come to Him, or are we doing it because it is what we have always done. Another example is giving to the church. Are we doing it out of habit and not really conscious of our giving, or are we thoughtful and prayerful with every gift.

I believe that we have to push tradition aside and be more thoughtful in our following of God. We have to do things consciously in service to Him and prayerfully considering all our actions in relation to the glory of God at all times.

“⁷You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said:

‘⁸This people honors me with their lips,

but their heart is far from me;

⁹in vain do they worship me,

teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

— Matthew 15:7-9 (ESV)

As I read this morning in relation to my study of the word “father”, I was brought to this passage and at first reading, I was drawn to the honoring of father and mother. But, as I read on and multiple times, I found what I believe God wanted me to find. The title of the passage in my ESV Bible is “Traditions and Commandments” and that is where God wanted me this morning.

I see in the verses that Jesus is speaking with the religious leaders about traditions and commandments and how all will break them. He speaks to them to say that if there is something to be broken, it should be the traditions as they are not from God in this time. Tradition falls into legalism and does not necessarily involve thought and prayer. We are doing them because the law says to and not because it is right.

I have a saying to “Focus on Getting it Right, and NOT Just Getting it Done”. Tradition falls into the “getting it done” for the sake of doing it. Following God is “getting it right” and requires thought and prayer in order to do so. Notice in the verses above that Jesus calls out the religious leaders for just getting things done and not really thinking of whether or not it is indeed right and in following of God.

Where are you in your actions? Are you working through things using tradition and/or habit? What if you were to be more thoughtful and prayerful to follow God and “get it right”?