1. Introduction

As we continue learning how to know God through His Word, we must understand the importance of distinguishing God’s truth from human traditions.

Throughout history, people have developed religious practices, interpretations, and teachings. Some traditions may be helpful, but others can lead people away from what Scripture actually teaches.

The problem arises when human traditions are treated as if they carry the same authority as God’s Word. When this happens, people may follow what they have been taught without examining whether it agrees with Scripture.

God calls us to seek the truth and to examine what we hear. We should not accept a teaching simply because it is popular, has been practised for many years, or is taught by someone who holds a respected position.

Our foundation must be God’s Word, rightly understood in its context.

2. Key Scripture

Mark 7:7–8 (KJV)

“Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.”

Jesus confronted religious leaders who placed human traditions above God’s commandments.

Their problem was not simply that they had traditions. The deeper problem was that their traditions were taking the place of God’s Word.

This teaches us that religious activity does not automatically mean that someone understands God’s truth.

We must examine our beliefs and practices to determine whether they agree with Scripture. We should never allow a human tradition to overturn what God has revealed.

3. God’s Word Must Be Our Standard of Truth

John 17:17 (KJV)

“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

Jesus identified God’s Word as truth.

This means that our beliefs should not be established merely by personal opinions, emotions, cultural expectations, or the teachings of religious leaders.

Whenever we hear a teaching about God, we should examine it in the light of Scripture.

For example, if someone teaches that a Christian must perform a particular religious activity to receive something that God has already freely provided through Christ, we should examine that claim carefully.

We must ask: What does the passage actually say? Who was being addressed? What is the context? Does the teaching agree with the message of the surrounding verses and the wider teaching of Scripture?

These questions help us avoid accepting ideas that sound spiritual but are not supported by God’s Word.

4. We Must Examine What We Hear

Acts 17:11 (KJV)

“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

The Bereans provide a valuable example of how to approach biblical teaching.

They listened with open minds, but they also searched the Scriptures to examine what they were being taught.

They did not reject teaching simply because it was new, nor did they accept it blindly because someone preached it.

Their example encourages us to develop a habit of studying God’s Word for ourselves.

We should respect teachers who faithfully explain Scripture, but our confidence must ultimately rest on the truth of God’s Word rather than on a person’s reputation.

Important lesson: Examining a teaching against Scripture is not rebellion against God. It is a responsible way to seek the truth.

5. Human Traditions Can Hide the Meaning of Scripture

Colossians 2:8 (KJV)

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”

Paul warned believers against being led away through teachings rooted in human traditions and worldly principles rather than in Christ.

Not everything presented in religious language necessarily communicates biblical truth.

Sometimes people repeat a teaching so often that they begin to assume it must be correct. Others may fear questioning a tradition because they worry that doing so means disrespecting their church, family, or spiritual leaders.

However, we should not confuse familiarity with truth.

We must be willing to examine our understanding, correct mistakes, and follow what Scripture teaches.

This does not mean rejecting every tradition. It means refusing to give any tradition authority over God’s revealed truth.

6. Practical Example

Imagine that a person is taught that God will only bless Christians who give a particular amount of money to a church or religious leader.

The person begins to believe that God’s love and acceptance depend on meeting that financial demand.

How should this teaching be examined?

We should turn to Scripture and consider what it teaches about giving, grace, and the believer’s relationship with God.

2 Corinthians 9:7 (KJV)

“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”

This verse teaches that giving should not be forced or done under compulsion.

We must be careful not to use this passage to dismiss every biblical teaching about generosity. Instead, we should understand what Paul actually says and recognize the difference between willing giving and manipulation.

If a religious leader makes people believe that they must surrender money to earn God’s love or purchase His favour, we should examine that claim against the teaching of Scripture.

The lesson is that we must not accept a religious demand simply because someone presents it in God’s name.

We should study the Word carefully and distinguish biblical instruction from human control.

7. How Can We Protect Ourselves from Error?

We can develop a stronger foundation in God’s truth by practising these principles:

• Read the Bible for yourself: Do not depend entirely on what others tell you.

• Study passages in context: Consider the verses before and after the passage and its place in the wider message of Scripture.

• Examine religious claims: Ask whether a teaching is supported by the passage being used.

• Distinguish Scripture from tradition: Recognize that a practice does not become God’s command simply because it has existed for generations.

• Remain teachable: Be willing to correct your understanding when Scripture shows that you have misunderstood something.

• Keep Christ central: Examine whether a teaching agrees with what Scripture reveals about Jesus Christ and His finished work.

These principles help us grow in discernment without becoming proud, argumentative, or dismissive of others.

Our purpose is not to win arguments but to understand God’s truth and handle His Word faithfully.

8. Remember

A teaching does not become God’s truth simply because it is popular, traditional, or spoken by a religious leader. We must examine every teaching in the light of God’s Word, rightly understood in its context.

Human traditions must never take the place of Scripture. We should listen carefully, study faithfully, and remain willing to correct our understanding.

As we learn to distinguish God’s revealed truth from human opinions, we grow in our knowledge of Him and become better equipped to recognize teachings that do not agree with His Word.

Our foundation is not merely what people have always said about God, but what God has revealed through His Word.