In this daily Bible reading the Pharisees were criticizing Jesus for allowing His disciples to eat bread without first washing their hands. Jewish tradition required the washing of hands and other purification rituals. Jesus responded to the Pharisees by pointing out that they were transgressing the law of God by not honoring their parents.
The Pharisees told the people to give money to the Temple rather than helping their parents financially. Jesus said that the Pharisees were invalidating the Word of God for the sake of their man-made tradition. Jesus pointed out what God said to the prophet Isaiah: “This people honors Me with their lips. But their heart is far away from Me. But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.”
This is the true effect of religion. Religion distorts the pure Word of God and makes people live according to man-made doctrines and traditions. Religion also appeals to the superstitious nature of mankind. I believe that Satan has done is most effective work in turning people away from God through religion. For these reasons I reject religion. Rather, I cling to the Word of God which is the Truth.
The Word of God, the Bible, should be our daily focus in guiding us through our lives. The Bible will keep us on the ‘narrow path that leads to the small door to Heaven.’
