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Examples of Tradition Leading Us Astray from Scripture

Tradition, defined as any teaching, written or spoken, handed down through generations, can be a vehicle for divine truth or a source of deviation from it [1]. The Bible itself uses the term in both positive and negative senses. For instance, 2 Thessalonians 2:15 and 3:6 use "tradition" positively, referring to teachings to be upheld [1]. However, other passages, such as Mark 7:3, 9, 13, and Colossians 2:8, use the term to describe arbitrary interpretations or human customs that lead people astray [1].

One prominent example of tradition leading away from Scripture is found in Jesus's rebuke of the Pharisees. In Mark 7:13, Jesus states, "making void the word of God by your tradition, which you have handed down" [2]. This was not an isolated instance, but one example among many where human traditions superseded divine commands [7]. The Pharisees' traditions allowed them to sidestep God's law, as Jesus pointed out [10]. For example, they had a tradition that allowed individuals to declare their property "Corban" (dedicated to God), thereby exempting them from using it to support their parents, despite the biblical command to honor one's father and mother [10]. This practice effectively nullified the commandment through their handed-down custom [10].

The danger of straying from the "ancient paths" is also highlighted in the Old Testament. Jeremiah 18:15 speaks of Israel having "forgotten me," implying a departure from a prior knowledge of God, which arose from "determined perversity" [11]. The prophet laments that false prophets and idolatrous priests caused the people to stumble from the "ancient paths" that their pious ancestors trod [11]. This suggests that even long-standing practices, if they deviate from God's revealed will, can become a source of error.

The New Testament further warns against traditions that promote speculation rather than faith. Paul cautions against those who "devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculation rather than the stewardship of God’s work, which is by faith" (1 Timothy 1:4) [4]. Such deviations can lead to "vain jangling" (1 Timothy 1:6 KJV) [3]. The apostle also warns against "curious questions" that excite strife (1 Timothy 6:4; 2 Timothy 2:23) [5]. These passages suggest that traditions, when they become detached from the core tenets of faith and lead to unproductive disputes or fanciful narratives, can distract believers from God's intended path.

The concept of "spiritual death" can also be understood as a state resulting from a departure from God's ways, which can be influenced by misleading traditions. Spiritual death is characterized by alienation from God, carnal-mindedness, and walking in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 4:18; Romans 8:6; Ephesians 2:1) [6]. Living in pleasure or hypocrisy can also lead to this state (1 Timothy 5:6; Revelation 3:1-2) [6]. Adam Clarke, commenting on 1 Timothy 5:15, notes that "slight deviations, in the first instance, from a right line, may lead at last to an infinite distance from Christ," referring to young widows who turned aside to idolatry [8]. This illustrates how even seemingly minor departures, perhaps influenced by prevailing customs or beliefs, can lead to significant spiritual error.

The "mystery of iniquity" is another concept related to traditions that lead astray. Matthew Henry, commenting on 1 Timothy 4:1, connects this to "the apostasy of the latter times," where "some shall depart from the faith" [9]. This departure is often fueled by human inclination towards "wicked imitation" when people look to other humans rather than God [12]. This highlights the human tendency to adopt practices or beliefs that are popular or established, even if they contradict divine instruction.

Sources

  1. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Tradition — Any kind of teaching, written or spoken, handed down from generation to generation. In Mark 7:3, 9, 13, Col. 2:8, this word refers to the arbitrary interpretations of the Jews. In 2 Thess. 2:15; 3:6, it is used in a good sense. Peter (1 Pet. 1:18) uses this word with reference to the degenerate Judaism of the "strangers scattered" whom he addresses (comp. Acts 15:10; Matt. 15:2-6; Gal. 1:14).”
  2. Mark “making void the word of God by your tradition, which you have handed down. You do many things like this.” -- Mark 7:13”
  3. I Timothy “I Timothy 1:6 (KJV) — From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;”
  4. I Timothy “I Timothy 1:4 (BSB) — or devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculation rather than the stewardship of God’s work, which is by faith.”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Strife — Christ, an example of avoiding -- Isa 42:2; Mt 12:15-19; Lu 9:52-56; 1Pe 2:23. Forbidden -- Pr 3:30; 25:8. A work of the flesh -- Ga 5:20. An evidence of a carnal spirit -- 1Co 3:3. Existed in the church -- 1Co 1:11. Excited by Hatred. -- Pr 10:12. Pride. -- Pr 13:10; 28:25. Wrath. -- Pr 15:18; 30:33. Frowardness. -- Pr 16:28. A contentious disposition. -- Pr 26:21. Tale-bearing. -- Pr 26:20. Drunkenness. -- Pr 23:29,30. Lusts. -- Jas 4:1. Curious questions. -- 1Ti 6:4; 2Ti 2:23. Scorning. -- Pr 22:10. Difficulty of stopping, a reason for avoiding it -- Pr 1”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Death, Spiritual — Alienation from God is -- Eph 4:18. Carnal-mindedness is -- Ro 8:6. Walking in trespasses and sins is -- Eph 2:1; Col 2:13. Spiritual ignorance is -- Isa 9:2; Mt 4:16; Lu 1:79; Eph 4:18. Unbelief is -- Joh 3:36; 1Jo 5:12. Living in pleasure is -- 1Ti 5:6. Hypocrisy is -- Re 3:1,2. Is a consequence of the fall -- Ro 5:15. Is the state of all men by nature -- Ro 6:13; 8:6. The fruits of, are dead works -- Heb 6:1; 9:14. A call to arise from -- Eph 5:14. Deliverance from, is through Christ -- Joh 5:24,25; Eph 2:5; 1Jo 5:12. Saints are raised from -- R”
  7. Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 7:13: 7:13 The result of such traditions was to cancel the word of God. • only one example among many others: It was not an isolated instance; see, e.g., Isa 1:10-20; 58:1-14.”
  8. 1 Timothy (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Timothy 5:15: For some are already turned aside - Some of these young widows, for he appears to be still treating of them, are turned aside to idolatry, to follow Satan instead of Christ. Slight deviations, in the first instance, from a right line, may lead at last to an infinite distance from Christ.”
  9. 1 Timothy (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Timothy 4:1: We have here a prophecy of the apostasy of the latter times, which he had spoken of as a thing expected and taken for granted among Christians, 2 Th. 2. I. In the close of the foregoing chapter, we had the mystery of godliness summed up; and therefore very fitly, in the beginning of this chapter, we have the mystery of iniquity summed up: The Spirit speaks expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith; whether he means the Spirit in the Old Testament, or the Spirit in the prophets of the New Testament, or both. The prophecies concerning ant”
  10. Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 7:9: 7:9-13 Next, Jesus provides an instance where the Pharisees’ traditions contradicted God’s law and allowed them to sidestep its requirements.”
  11. Jeremiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jeremiah 18:15: Because--rather, "And yet"; in defiance of the natural order of things. forgotten me-- (Jer 2:32). This implies a previous knowledge of God, whereas He was unknown to the Gentiles; the Jews' forgetting of God, therefore, arose from determined perversity. they have caused . . . to stumble--namely the false prophets and idolatrous priests have. ancient paths-- (Jer 6:16): the paths which their pious ancestors trod. Not antiquity indiscriminately, but the example of the fathers who trod the right way, is here commended. them--the Jews. not ca”
  12. CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 1, section 14.18: moment be driven up and down, were it not that we are held by the powerful government of God, and fix the anchor of constancy in firm ground. Every one of us ought to meditate earnestly on this thought; for though we may be convinced, yet when it comes to the trial we fail, and look at men rather than God. We should, therefore, attend more carefully to this doctrine, and pray to God to hold us, not only by his word but by laying his hand on us. Besides, it ought to be observed that we are exceedingly disposed to wicked imitation. When we see”
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