There are two ways we sway. Two directions people tend to lean. Sometimes we find a balance. Most of the time, however, we find ourselves on one side of the spectrum more than the other.
This applies to many things in our lives. In this case, I am talking about legalism verses lawlessness (for a lack of a better word). Without a shadow of doubt, I tend to live in legalism. In my legalistic approach I would think “if only I was better” … “tried harder” … “messed up less”. Every time I made a mistake I would be hard on myself. I would get upset that I failed yet again. I would vow to never slip up.
Pretty realistic right?! Wrong.
There is no possible way to live this lifestyle. But I would try. Every mistake, I would hide. I felt like I wasn’t a real or “good” Christian if I failed. I would cover up my sin or my shortcomings and mentally / emotionally beat myself up over a simple mistake.
It wasn’t healthy. I was living in a vicious cycle of doing wrong wishing to do right instead. Where is this life encouraged in the Bible? I was tired of being so wound up and discouraged. I wanted to live in God’s grace, love, mercy, and freedom.
So this is my journey of debunking legalism!
For it is by God’s grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God’s gift, so that no one can boast about it. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified. (Galatians 2:16)
These verses are perfect in every way when focusing on legalism. Every time I read them, I get a new sense of reassurance. Nothing I did in the past nor anything I will do in the future can save me. I can’t earn God’s love and acceptance. I can’t work my way to heaven. I can not justify my sin by being “perfect”. God gave me this gift of salvation so I don’t have to try really really hard to be perfect. I can mess up! I can completely and utterly screw up. Yet somehow, He still loves me. I am still His; He is still mine.
This is the first step of debunking my legalism. I had to accept that I didn’t win God over with my looks and achievements. I didn’t earn my salvation in the first place. I also had to realize that no matter how often… (VERY often btw)… I fail, I am still wanted, forgiven, and loved by God.
And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God. (Luke 16:15)
The second step of disarming legalism is getting to the heart. I had to look at myself and ask if I was obeying God to look impressive. Trust me. It sucks. Part of me thought I had to earn my salvation or “pay God back” for everything He has FREELY given me, but another part of me wanted to show everyone that I was a good Christian. If I wasn’t having my quiet time, worshipping, or praying, if I was maybe even angry at God, or too ashamed to speak to Him, I would hide behind the young spiritual Christian girl persona to “justify myself in the sight of men”. However, I couldn’t justify myself in God’s sight. He knew what was really going on in my heart. He knew I was a mess.
So my legalism branched from a sense of duty and a fear of judgment. That is a tough pill to swallow. So when I began focusing on overcoming my legalism, I had to find the root, understand my heart, and then combat it with truth from scripture.
Let us have confidence, then, and approach God’s throne, where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it. (Hebrews 4:16)
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. (Matthew 9:13)
For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. (Romans 6:14)
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (Roman 3:23, 24)
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ??(John? ?14:6?)
The final step of overcoming my legalism is combatting it with scripture. Legalism is from our flesh. We crave control and to appear perfect, so scripture and prayer are the best ways to overcome legalism. The best way to fight back the lies, is to speak the truth.
Many of us know the story about Jesus being tempted in the desert. Satan used pieces of scripture to “assure” Jesus that he could sin. But Jesus fought back with the truth and the Word of God. This is a perfect example. Briefly skimming scripture, it may seem like there are so many rules to follow. But digging deeper, we see how we aren’t expected to live up to those expectations. We see the grace made known to us in abundance.
It is a daily decision to choose to live dependent on God. It is hard to accept my sinfulness, but I am still working through this with God, continuously and imperfectly, debunking legalism in my Christian walk.
Thank you for reading!
