You Are A Legalist
January 7th, 2010
You are *not* a legalist if by faith and love for the Lord you obey His law – people will tell you you are, but you are not.
You are a legalist if you keep God’s law in order to gain or keep your salvation.
You are *not* a legalist if you believe professing Christians should obey the Lord, with love & humilty.
You are a legalist if you believe that your obedience makes you more acceptable to God than others who are not on your level.
You are *not* a legalist if you have high standards, or if you are more precise in your understanding of obedience.
You are a legalist if you think your higher standards make you more righteous.
You are *not* a legalist ifyou exhort others to obey God’s word.
You are a legalist if you bind men’s consciences to man’s tradition.
You are *not* a legalist if you come to a matter that scripture does not directly address and by prayerful study reach a conclusion & implement it in life and home.
You are a legalist if another believer prayerfully considers the same matter & reaches a different conclusion & you think you’re more acceptable to God because of your conclusion.
You are *not* a legalist if you don’t watch TV, don’t listen to rock music, don’t practice birth control, homeschool, dress modestly, etc.
You are a legalist if you believe those things are the signs that you are true Christians and they are not, and you are therefore more acceptable to God.
We are getting to think like legalists if we think our difference make us superior spiritually.
We are all tainted by legalism of some sort, and if you haven’t come to grips with it, likely you are one and don’t see it.
Want to know the standard of being a Christian? Read the 5 chapters of 1 John – he nails down what a real Christian is.
This post is all my notes after listening to the CD, Holiness, Legalism, and the Sufficiency of Scripture, by Jeff Pollard. Excellent sermon.
Related Article (and great discussion over at Stacy’s McDonald’s blog):
“Legalist Hunters” and the Hypocrisy that Empowers Them
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Well put, especially the point that all people are tainted by legalism. I’ve noticed that even those who call others legalistic seem to be so themselves because they view their way at THE way to do things.
Heather´s last blog post … Sisters in Faith
Excellent series of distinctions Sarah Mae! Thanks for sharing them!! It really makes such a difference doesn’t it–to obey God out of love and gratitude rather than because you think you must, or because you think it impresses Him, or because you think your salvation is yours to hold together. His goodness inspires me to live higher, trust more, bless His Father’s heart with my childlike obedience.
Shaunie Friday´s last blog post … Frame Within the Frame
This is such an excellent post! Thanks so much for sharing. It is so easy to fall into legalism and compare our “righteousness” to the “unrighteousness” of others. It’s good to be reminded that we are really all completely unrighteous and would stand before God guilty were it not for His grace!
Mary Jo´s last blog post … Cherish every second
Thank you for sharing a very thought provoking article! This is defintely something I will print out to keep nearby and the CD sounds really great!!
Twinkle Mom @ Sunflower Faith´s last blog post … Knitting and Faith
Powerful and thought provoking! So glad I came by today! Blessings to you!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Sarah Mae, sunflowerfaith. sunflowerfaith said: You Are A Legalist – http://www.likeawarmcupofcoffee.com/home/index.php/2010/you-are-a-legalist/ [...]
Powerful and thought provoking! So glad I came by today! Blessings to you! A good word like this gets you fired up;)
The subject of legalism has been burning on my heart as well. As a recovering legalist, I have a deep understanding of the subject. It’s ugly. It’s not something I’m proud of. And the detox has been horrible.
I still live my life very much the same, but there is a different heart. It’s less about me and more about Christ.
Wow! Excellent and very clearifying. Thanks.
Excellent job, Sarah Mae.
Robin´s last blog post … Wanna see something cute?
excellent!!!! Thank you for posting this!
Great post Sarah Mae. It reminds me very much of some of the excellent material presented in The Prodigal God by Tim Keller. Thanks for sharing.
Cherie´s last blog post … Transperancy is Vulnerability
Thanks for sharing these thoughts. I can’t wait to read the realted article.
Kristie´s last blog post … Better than the Best Hot Chocolate
Thank you for such a simple and true explaination of legalism. So often these days I here people talk about “legalism” in a wrong manner. This is what legalism truly is and isn’t.
Incredibly put. I am going to link to this in my upcoming Becoming Titus 2 in 2010 series next week. It is well-timed in that regards! Thanks, Sarah Mae! You are a delight!
eLisa´s last blog post … Living Intentionally Together — Let’s Continue!
Do you wonder if these are the things Jesus was writing in the sand in Luke 7?
Debbie´s last blog post … Fa-fa-fa-fa-reezin’ Friday
WOW! Great post.
I believe I will read that passage of scripture today.
Mindy´s last blog post … A Challenge
The tricky thing about that is….. really legalistic people would probably never consider themselves to have any of those characteristics you listed for legalists. It’s not until after we are free of the legalism that we see it for what it is.
Sarah´s last blog post … Quick ‘09 highlights
I echo everything said here. I ordered the CD after you shared these as tweets yesterday. I will go read the other blog post you linked in here at the end in just a minute. I wonder if the CD has more about the ‘fruit’ of legalism. or rather evidence of, since it’s not really fruit. I came out of legalism and have seen others head straight down the path of legalism in worse forms and they deny they are legalistic.
So, that point you shared, “We are all tainted by legalism of some sort, and if you haven’t come to grips with it, likely you are one and don’t see it.” Is so true.
I was speaking to my husband about this the other day. We are never really ‘completely’ free from it. But we can continue to walk away from it and closer to Jesus. I think many times people misunderstand proper church discipline as legalism, but 2-3 brothers going to someone in love to lead them to repentance is biblical. The Bible then says go to the entire assembly and if they still refuse then to walk away and treat them as the heathen. And handling it publicly warns the people of their inability to repent. I have seen this type of situation time and time again and when it’s done biblically people cry “Legalist!” The key is love. If it is not done in love, it’s legalism.
Sisterlisa´s last blog post … January Issue of GGM *Giveaways too*
am I allowed to leave a comment…being a guy and all???
(i kid, i kid)
great list. Legalism can be big and ugly and gaudy and easy to see.
and then sometimes it can subtly creep into our own lives without us even knowing it. A good reminder to add nothing on to the Gospel.
(ps…just found your blog thanks to a twitter #FF. Always great to connect with other bloggers.)
I read Stacey’s blog and the thread below it. There’s quite a stir. :/
Sisterlisa´s last blog post … January Issue of GGM *Giveaways too*
I am glad I stopped by for a cup of coffee with you. The conversation was very satisfying :)
I have come to realize as followers of Christ we tend to confuse the pursuit to holiness with legalism. My journey with God is mine and mine alone. As I impose my life standards on others and as I judge people by the way I live, I have become a Legalist in its truest form.
Thank you for articulating so well the differences between holiness and legalism.
Blessings!
HeartLikeJesus
Heart Like Jesus´s last blog post … Living a Changed Life
fantastic post…am I the only one who is getting a double picture of your blog banner? I can never see the beginning of your post and I don’t know why…
Love love love your thought-provoking posts and tweets! Thank you!
And for that I gave you an award on my blog!
http://homewiththeboys.blogspot.com/2010/01/fantastic-followers-friday-and-award.html
Thank you for this post! I really enjoyed it.
I feel like it both exhorted me in ways that I’m beginning to lean more toward legalistic thinking and neede to nip those at the bud, but it also challenges those who would rather take the easy road when it comes to God’s laws.
Far too often, in my experience, I see Christians use the ‘I don’t want to be legalistic’ card because they’re scared that truly seeking to obey God is going to put them in the danger zone and make them uncomfortable.
So thanks! I loved this list!
Kirsten Erin´s last blog post … Less than Perfect
I think you really summed this up well. One thing I wonder, though, does anyone ever admit to being a legalist? You know what I mean? Makes me wonder if I’m sitting here nodding my head, completely oblivious to the fact that I’m guilty of legalism. LOL.
Musings of a Housewife´s last blog post … Making a Fresh Start with Morning Devotions
VERY good words, Sarah! Thanks for the link. I’m contemplating this whole thing because I think there are related problems that are huge and that need to be addressed. Thank you so much for adding clarity to such an important topic.
Stacy McDonald´s last blog post … Josh Harris gets a little too close…
ooooo. good post! I have been writing out all of I John 1-5 (chapters) for discipleship and there are some hard verses in there that to be honest, I can’t fully understand. The ones that appear to say if you’re really saved you won’t sin. And yet even after salvation we are still sinners, saved by grace. God doesn’t look at us like he did before we were saved b/c of Christ’s blood.
Legalism is a dirty, subtle sin. I believe it blinds Christians and can make us ineffective in reaching the lost. Satan’s little secret, huh?
Tracy @ Hall of Fame Moms´s last blog post … Looking for “family” related advice?
My mind is a buzz with thoughts on this subject. Today I posted on my blog some thoughts from my legalistic youth. Tomorrow I’ll give the rest of the story.
But today while talking to my Love about it all, something struck me. He was talking about how that in this dark world we are to carry the light of the Gospel. Then I had the thought that it’s our legalism that hides that light. I’m going to have to think some more about that one…
Oh excellent Sarah Mae!! Thank you for sharing that! I do struggle with legalism – those thoughts sneak in when you’re not looking! I do wish everybody could read this post and understand what legalism is and is not!
Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates´s last blog post … Would You Like Chocolate With That? ~ Chocolate Tea Bread
I’m with Musings of a Housewife, who actually admits to this.
Alyssa´s last blog post … Developing New Habits
I can admit that legalism had a stranglehold on me for years. The freedom experienced when I let God have it cannot be expressed with mere words. Grace, love and mercy take on all new meanings.
Southern Gal´s last blog post … Surprise!
“You are a legalist if you think your higher standards make you more righteous.”
While growing up I was allowed to think that because I had moral standards that meant that I was better than those who didn’t, and those people should be shunned and pitied. It really wasn’t discussed or taught to me that way, but that was certainly the impression I got from everyone around me, well meaning though they were.
There are times I still struggle with legalism, and then there are days that I have sense when I realize “…that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.”
Excellent article!! Makes me think of the book I read several years ago…
“12 Steps for the Recovering Pharisee(like me): Finding Grace to Live Unmasked” By John Fischer
It can be found at
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=22024
Amen, Amen, Amen!
Love this post girly!!
Sarah (ella’s mom)
Sarah A´s last blog post … Just one of those days…
excellent thoughts! I have struggled with some of these very same issues. I have linked them back to my blog.
You have some key words there in “you think you are more acceptable to God.” You are right, obedience to the Word of God does not make you more “acceptable,” as we are accepted on grace and faith alone. Obedience does, however, make you someone that others can follow and aspire to emulate. It’s important to be able to say with Paul, “Follow me as I follow Christ.”
“Follow me as I follow Christ” is meant as an exhortation to see and seek Godliness, not a invitation to follow someone (even the Apostle Paul) as an idol! :) Just thought a little clarification on my comment might be necessary, and for more info on that, please do read Stacy McDonald’s thoughts in her blog referenced at the end of Sarah Mae’s blog above!
[...] is an excerpt from Like a Warm Cup of Coffee: You are *not* a legalist if by faith and love for the Lord you obey His law – people will tell [...]
[...] You Are A Legalist by Sarah Mae of Like A Warm Cup of Coffee ~ What a legalist is… and what it isn’t. In my healing state, I’m always in need of these kind of reminders. There is always such danger of becoming legalistic about not being legalistic. [...]
Very well-written Sarah Mae. Thanks for the proper perspective of legalism.
bless you!
Jacque´s last blog post … The Outlawing of Home Schooling
I was raised in a somewhat legalistic environment, including aspects of legalism mentioned above, and I have experienced the harm it brings. This post speaks much truth. Thank you for posting it! :)
Child of Prussia´s last blog post … Flock shocked by ‘tramp’ minister
I really liked your post. It seems to me that I am a legalist if I have rules that I expect others to follow.
Thank you, thank you for this! It has blessed me greatly today! I hope you don’t mind if I copy and share it with another Sister.
Thank you for your good words, Sarah Mae! Our family has been thinking and praying a lot on this subject. It is a comfort to be reminde of our acceptance by God based on the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus. If we remember to seek to exault God in all we think and do, and walk with great humility, we will honor God.
Thank you again for your teaching and encouragement!
[...] further reading, I would recommend Sarah Mae’s excellent post about legalism and this post about truly being [...]
Wow, some how I missed this post from January but am glad I’m reading it now. EXCELLENT definition of legalism. I would personally add that if you define your value to God by how you follow religious laws or man’s idea of perfection….because I was trapped in that mindset for years. Good stuff Sarah!
Kristine McGuire´s last blog post … Who Is This Man?
I will admit it. I was raised Christian in a mildly legalistic church, strayed from God’s will, but not my knowledge that Jesus is Lord. When I came back to church (a different church) people were so kind to me and seemed to welcome a “sinner come home” with open arms. But as time progressed I started to see that this church just had different things they were legalistic about. It became so easy to exchange having to seek God’s will on every aspect of life for following their “rules”. Now my family and I do some things differently from others at our church an extended family–but all biblical, and what we know God us has told us is best for us. But it is SO EASY to trade rules for the leading of the Holy Spirit. We must always be judging ourselves and careful before judging others.
Great post!
My perspective on this is a bit different, in that I was raised in a tradition that was anything but legalistic. My husband and I have changed a lot about how we live within the last few years, having come to a conviction that God does care about things that many other Christians see as “trivial”…not because it somehow makes us better or more acceptable to God, but because we do want to be obedient and live according to His Word.
I have to be careful, as I see people around me who continue to think and behave as I once did, to remember that it is only by the grace of God that my eyes have been opened to these things, and that He was certainly patient with me during my more antinomian days!
Blessings!
i just read this now, and am so thankful that you posted this!! i needed the reminder that it is by God’s standards that i am to base my decisions, not mans…sometimes it’s so easy to be scared of being called a legalist that one finds themselves (ie. me) blending into the crowd. or just plain becoming angry and defensive.
thank you again for giving a written out list that clarifies what legalism is and isn’t!!