This is the third article in this series entitled Ferreting Out Legalism. In the first one, I took a look at how legalism attempts to measure spirituality instead of trusting in the finished work of Christ. The second article examined how legalism seeks to manipulate and control people through fear. This one focuses on how legalism focuses blame on individuals and groups in order to promote the false narrative that it is possible to earn our salvation.

Identifying the False Narrative

Psychologists recognize that we often deride and malign others in an attempt to bolster our own position or image. We sometimes project on others the things of which we are guilty ourselves. This is a form of denial. We imagine that we are guiltless, or least better than the person we judge, and feel comfortable accusing them, without realizing that, in so doing, we condemn ourselves.

Paul highlighted this sinful tendency in his letter to the church in Rome.

You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. Romans 2:1 (NLT) 

Our propensity to judge others for the things for which we are also guilty reveals that we have not accepted the truth about our own sinfulness.

Jesus told a parable (Matthew 18:21-35) about a servant who owed his master an enormous debt for which he no means to pay it back. Rather than condemn this bankrupt servant to debtor’s prison, the master freely forgave the debt. Apparently this was an affront to his pride, and the servant refused to accept that he was unable to pay back the debt. He immediately set about trying to do just that by collecting much smaller debts that others owed him. When a fellow servant was unable to come up with the money owed, the forgiven servant had him thrown into debtor’s prison. When the master heard about this, he became furious and had the previously forgiven man also placed in the same prison.

The root of the first servant’s problem was his pride kept him from seeing that he was a spiritual pauper, who had to fully depend on his master’s mercy.

God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. Matthew 5:3 (NLT) 

We undercut the mercy shown to us when we refuse to forgive others.

By default, our pride makes us all gravitate toward legalism.

The false narrative is that we can improve ourselves and become acceptable to God, if we try hard enough.

Some of us have been engaged in a lifelong remediation project in the hope that one day, hopefully soon, we will finally arrive at our destination – perfection. The Bible teaches that this is the surest way to frustration, anger, and depression. Pursuing perfection can totally demoralize us or turn us into mean spirited self-righteous judges.

The more we try to measure up to the demands of God’s righteousness using our own resources, the greater will be our failure.

Paul discovered this and wrote about it in his letter to the church in Rome (Romans 7:14-25). Until we come to realize how bankrupt we are, we will feel comfortable accusing and condemning ourselves, our leaders, the church, and anyone else, and, by doing so, unwittingly ally ourselves with Satan, the Accuser. (Revelation 12:10) Misery loves company.

The Price We Pay

When we judge others in an accusatory and condemning way, we heap judgment upon ourselves.

And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. 3  Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? Romans 2:2-3 (NLT) 

Jesus also warned us about the flashback effect of improperly judging others.

Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2  For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. Matthew 7:1-2 (NLT)  

No one likes to be judged; yet, we often do it to others without regard for the negative consequences. Judging others restricts them and us. Judging invites God’s judgment into our own lives. Judging others strips away our joy and peace. When we judge someone, we lose the ability to help them or be helped by them. When we judge and condemn those in authority, we may open the door for divine judgment to fall upon us. I am truly concerned about those who call themselves Christians and who seem to feel very comfortable railing at our president. (Acts 23:5.  If you are not familiar with the stories of those who decided it was fine to attack and criticize Moses, you should read those accounts – Numbers 16. It is sobering.)

Examples

• Sometimes I am surprised when church leaders say that the current broken state of society is the church’s fault. This presupposes that if we do everything right, everyone else will also do the right thing, which is totally false. Jesus did all the right things when it came to discipling his apostles: yet, one of them betrayed him. It certainly was not Jesus’ fault. God created Adam and Eve and gave them a perfect environment; nevertheless, at the first opportunity, they betrayed their Creator to follow Satan. Was that God’s fault? Of course not. Perfect parents, if there ever were such a thing, cannot guarantee that their children will turn out well.

The false narrative is that if we can perform well enough, we can guarantee an outcome.

If we accept the lie that the church is responsible to change the world through its performance, we fall into a legalistic trap that will lead to frustration, demoralization, or self-righteousness.

• Some people teach that God always physically heals us when we ask him. They cite scriptures that bolster this position and insist that God is always true to his word. Therefore, if we do not receive our healing, the fault must lie in us. Elaborate schemes are developed to insure that we receive our healing. People are taught to deny that they are sick, since God has healed them already. They are encouraged to repeat over and over the verses that promise healing, in the hope that faith will grow and God will be persuaded by our persistence. I remember once when I heard that the family of a man dying from cancer would admit no one who did not hold the same belief about positively confessing healing. People who properly discerned that it was his time to die were not allowed to console and encourage him as he approached the threshold into eternity. I thank God for his promises. I thank him that Jesus paid the price for my healing. I believe that we should trust him to do just what he promised, but I also realize that it is in God’s discretion and timing how he dispenses his grace and gifts. Everyone dies eventually, and only God knows when it is our time. Jesus holds the keys of hell and death. When that moment arrives, nothing is going to stop it from happening. Likewise, before it is time for us to die, nothing can take us out by stealth.

Surrendering our lives and health to a loving and sovereign God is the surest way to peace and being able to discern what the Spirit is speaking to us about our situation.

(You can read more about this important topic in my book Seeing God’s Smile, which can be purchased on Amazon.

Conclusion

Life is so much easier and more joyful when we admit that we are spiritual paupers who depend on the mercy of God and have no right or business condemning others. There is a proper form of judgment, but it never includes condemnation. It is important that we refrain from judging ourselves, too. We get enough of that from the devil and other people.