Can We Be Legalistic About Not Being Legalists?

Ask Pastor John
Episode: 1043

[nicholaspino]

I am battling, and have battled off and on over years, with feeling obligated to get rid of or give away my favorites - be it my favorite shorts or flip flops, or my favorite sweater, or whatever is my best, to prove to myself and God that I’m trying to be obedient. But I feel tight in my throat and am worried about delaying on these types of activities. Furthermore, I don’t feel better after giving those things away. But since I feel like God wants us to do everything to avoid idolatry or anything else - I feel obligated to do these hard things and I find myself dreading the next possible thing He may ask me to do. I feel afraid that He could strip me of my salvation if I don’t do that hard thing in a timely fashion and am currently feeling worried about Hebrews 10. But I am not enjoying a peaceful walk of joy with Him right now. I just feel fearful. I want to rest in the Lord and know whether what I’m feeling is truly from God or if it’s legalism.

[spormel]

9:30 praying at meals -> Romans 14, 6
Devotions every Day -> „Abide in me!“ (John 15)
Familiy devotions -> father should lead his family, spiritually as well
Not watching nude films -> Matthew 5, 28
So these are not commands, rather suggestions?

[phillthomas]

A corner on correctly interpreting Legalism is "multicultural" worshiping/ discipling. Most forms of Legalism are formed in Homogeneous environments. When humans share a lot of experiences they tend to share a lot of blind-spots so when they develop a tradition no one can say (from the outside) "Well that is not biblical, that is just your tradition." Multicultural communities inherently learn to detach their customs from their perception of Holiness.

[theologian]

John Piper; the king of confused answers. "Yes, but then again, no, or perhaps maybe". That's all you get from him usually.