Are there dangers in mutual confession [of sin]? Yes, and they are substantial. Psychologically needy persons sometimes use confession to get attention for themselves. Through the apparently spiritual medium of “confession” they can handcuff a captive audience as they relate the details of their sin with deluded or feigned contrition. Confession can also foster spiritual exhibitionism, a perverted moral pleasure in airing one’s laundry. The overly morbid can bend confession to become an excuse for unhealthy hyper-introspection. Ostensibly humble confession can also be used as a vehicle for spiritual aggression: “I want to ask your forgiveness for being bitter toward you over the years” – but what follows is not a confession, but an egregious assault… Confession turned into religious routine is deadly!
Kent Hughes

Legalism

Legalism

Doctrine: Legalism

  1. Definitions:

1.1. English dictionary definition: Strict and literal adherence to the law (American Heritage Dictionary, page 722).

1.2. Biblical definition: Legalism is the belief that a person must act a certain way so that God will bless, help, and prosper him. Legalism tells why one does or does not do something. Legalistic people work for God’s blessing, they confuse cause and result, they misunderstand grace. Legalism is wrong. Avoid it.

1.3. The Bible teaches that believers are to think and act a certain way because God has already blessed and continues to bless. The believer is to live the plan of God out of genuine gratitude and knowledge that God’s plan is right, and with the understanding that he is a product of God’s grace. The believer is unable to contribute anything to God through his own efforts.

2. Characteristics of legalism:

2.1. Legalism becomes a heavy yoke or load to live under (Mt 11.28). A legalistic person has separated himself from the easy yoke and light load of freedom in Christ (Mt 11.30; Gal 5.1-4).

2.2. Legalism is against:

2.2.1. Salvation by grace (Gal 1.6-9; 2.16).

2.2.2. Spirituality by grace (Gal 3.2-5; 5.5).

2.2.3. The freedom to live the CWL (Christian way of life) apart from pressure imposed by self and others, by taboo lists, by checklists of right things, by a religious community (Gal 4.8-11; 5.1-5).

2.3. Legalistic people replace Bible doctrine and the spirit of Bible doctrine with human standards (Mt 12.1-8; 15.1-3).

2.4. Legalistic people attempt to force their lifestyle upon others and thereby judge and interfere in the freedom of other believers (Jn 7.19-24; Rom 14.1-12; Gal 2.1-5).

2.5. Pride, self righteousness, and a critical mental attitude characterize legalists and perpetuate legalism (Mt 12.10; Lk 18.9-12; Gal 2.3-5; 6.12-13).
3. Practical expressions of legalism show that people are trying to earn salvation, spirituality, and God’s blessing.

3.1. Common legalistic practices in Bible times included: religious ritual (Gal 4.10-11; Col 2.16), special days, months, seasons, years (Gal 4.10-11; Col 2.16-18), circumcision (Gal 2.3-5; 5.2-4), taboo lists (Col 2.20-22), hand washing before eating (Mt 15.1-20), special rules for the Sabbath (Mt 12.1-1-5, 9-14), self righteousness (Lk 18.9-14), depending on personal heritage, ability, and conformity to a regulatory system to please God (Phil 3.4-6).

3.2. Current day expressions of legalism include:

3.2.1. For salvation: Believe plus promise to change the life, believe plus make Christ Lord, believe plus join the church, believe plus give up habits (such as eating without washing the hands, smoking, movies, Sunday comics), believe plus an emotional experience, believe plus circumcision, believe plus keep church rules or the law of Moses.

3.2.2. In the Christian way of life: Praying regularly, giving money, Bible reading, denying certain enjoyments, following a cultural list of wrongs, not committing certain sins, personality imitation, relativity of sin, church attendance, emotional response to God, to doctrine, to church, and other believers, taboos to avoid, good behavior.

Copyright 1989 by Tod M. Kennedy
You are allowed to reproduce this article only in its entirety and without additions or deletions.