Avoiding Legalism in Spiritual Disciplines and Practices
Avoiding Legalism in Spiritual Disciplines and Practices
The concept of avoiding legalism in spiritual disciplines and practices is rooted in biblical teachings that caution against reducing faith to mere external observances or rituals. The apostle Paul warns against "having a form of godliness, but denying its power" (II Timothy 3:5) [1]. This warning is echoed in various biblical passages that emphasize the importance of internalizing faith and avoiding practices that are merely external or ritualistic.
In the Old Testament, Leviticus 19:31 condemns practices related to spiritism and divination, indicating that certain spiritual practices can lead to uncleanness and are contrary to God's will [2]. Similarly, Colossians 2:8 cautions against being taken captive by "philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world and not according to Christ" [3]. This suggests that not all spiritual practices or disciplines are inherently Christian or beneficial.
The distinction between genuine spiritual growth and legalistic or superficial practices is crucial. According to John Gill, commenting on 1 Timothy 4:7, certain practices or doctrines can be considered "profane and old wives' fables" if they are not grounded in sound doctrine and faith [4]. In contrast, exercising oneself "unto godliness" is encouraged, indicating a focus on the internal disposition and genuine devotion rather than mere external actions.
Adam Clarke's commentary on Romans 7:14 highlights the spiritual nature of the law, emphasizing that it is not just a system of external rites but a rule that reaches to the heart and soul, condemning every disposition contrary to eternal truth and rectitude [5]. This understanding underscores the danger of legalism, where external compliance is prioritized over internal transformation.
The biblical emphasis is on a faith that is not just about outward actions but is deeply rooted in the heart. As John Gill notes on Psalms 119:32, a spiritual understanding of God's law is essential for its true observance, which comes from a principle of love and gratitude rather than mere legalistic compliance [6]. This perspective is echoed in the commentary on Galatians 5:17, which highlights the conflict between the Spirit and the flesh, suggesting that the answer to sin is not human effort at law-keeping but living by God's Spirit [7].
In the context of spiritual disciplines and practices, avoiding legalism means focusing on the internal work of the Spirit and genuine devotion to God, rather than merely adhering to external rules or rituals. As Adam Clarke comments on Galatians 5:13, the liberty proclaimed by the Gospel is not a license for the flesh but a freedom from the burdensome rites and ceremonies of the law, with a continued binding under the moral law [9].
The early Christian church faced challenges related to legalism, as seen in Acts 5:37, where the advice is to "refrain from these men, and let them alone," indicating a need to discern between movements or practices that are of God and those that are merely human or self-serving [8].
Sources
- II Timothy “II Timothy 3:5 (LEB) — maintaining a form of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid these people.”
- Leviticus “Leviticus 19:31 (BBE) — Do not go after those who make use of spirits, or wonder-workers; do not go in their ways or become unclean through them: I am the Lord your God.”
- Colossians “Colossians 2:8 (LEB) — Beware lest ⌞anyone take you captive⌟ through philosophy and empty deceit, according to ⌞human tradition⌟, according to the elemental spirits of the world and not according to Christ,”
- 1 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Timothy 4:7: But refuse profane and old wives' fables,.... Either Jewish ones, the traditions of the elders; or those of the Gnostics, concerning God, angels, and the creation of the world; or those doctrines of demons, and which forbad marriage, and commanded abstinence from meats before mentioned; which are called profane, because impious and ungodly, and old wives' fables, because foolish and impertinent; and which were to be rejected with abhorrence and contempt, in comparison of the words of faith and good doctrine. And exercise thyself rather unto godliness; either to th”
- Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 7:14: For, we know that the law is spiritual - This is a general proposition, and probably, in the apostle's autograph, concluded the above sentence. The law is not to be considered as a system of external rites and ceremonies; nor even as a rule of moral action: it is a spiritual system; it reaches to the most hidden purposes, thoughts, dispositions, and desires of the heart and soul; and it reproves and condemns every thing, without hope of reprieve or pardon, that is contrary to eternal truth and rectitude. But I am carnal, sold under sin - This was probably, in the ap”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:32: Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law,.... A spiritual understanding; an understanding of the law, the perfection, purity, holiness, and spirituality of it; an understanding of the Gospel, and of Christ and the things of Christ; from whom grace and strength are to be had for the due observance of the law, as in his hands; which understanding must be given, and is a gift of pure, free, rich grace, to such who have it; though they cannot keep the law perfectly, as no mere man can, yet will keep it spiritually, from a principle of love and gratitude, and with”
- Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 5:17: 5:17 We cannot simply decide to keep the law and not sin: A war rages between God’s Spirit and our sinful nature (see Rom 7:14-25; 1 Pet 2:11; cp. Gen 4:7). The answer is not human effort at law-keeping, but living by God’s Spirit. When we are resurrected, we will finally be freed from sin (see Rom 8:18-25).”
- Acts (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Acts 5:37: And now I say unto you,.... This is the sum of my advice upon the observation of these and other instances: refrain from these men, and let them alone; keep your hands off of them, do not attempt to take away their lives, but dismiss them quietly, nor go about to hinder them, in what they are concerned: for if this counsel, or this work be of men; if the doctrine these men preach is an human device; or this business they are engaged in is only an human affair, projected by men, and carried on upon selfish principles, and worldly views, seeking only themselves, and t”
- Galatians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Galatians 5:13: Ye have been called unto liberty - A total freedom from all the burthensome rites and ceremonies of the Mosaic law. Only use not that liberty for an occasion to the flesh. By flesh, here, we may understand all the unrenewed desires and propensities of the mind; whatsoever is not under the influence and guidance of the Holy Spirit of God. Your liberty is from that which would oppress the spirit; not from that which would lay restraints on the flesh. The Gospel proclaims liberty from the ceremonial law: but binds you still faster under the moral law. To be freed fr”