It is so easy to mistake traditions for God’s Word. Unless a person is serious about knowing the Word it is almost certain that they will make this mistake. (And many unnecessary others.) Worship becomes vain (useless) when it is based on teaching that are “but rules taught by men.”
When the disciples informed Jesus that the Pharisees had been offended by His remarks He really didn’t care. The harm they were doing was too severe to be worried about their feelings.
And this is the end of the matter; what is really important is the heart. When I was growing up I was always taught that smoking would send you to hell. Why? I really don’t know. It seemed to have something to do with damaging your body which is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Of course it was perfectly OK to engage in gluttony (especially if fried chicken and pecan pie were around) but smoking...? It was OK to be mean as a snake but smoking...? It was OK to condemn and judge other (especially if they smoked) but smoking...?
No, the important thing is what is in the heart. It is what comes out of us that makes us unclean, not what goes in. (Not my words, Jesus said it.)
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