Posted on 08/16/2025 3:56:41 AM PDT by metmom
“Then the disciples of John came to Him, asking, ‘Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?’ And Jesus said to them, ‘The attendants of the bridegroom cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they?’” (Matthew 9:14–15).
Religious ritual and routine, if not handled appropriately, will always threaten true godliness. Some practices, such as praying to saints or lighting candles for the dead, are heretical. But even biblical practices, when their forms become the center of attention, can become barriers to true righteousness. Church attendance, Bible reading, saying grace before meals, and singing hymns can become lifeless habits that exclude true worship and praise. When we apply good things such as these the wrong way, they can keep us from faithful obedience . . . and keep unbelievers from trusting in God.
Alms, prescribed prayer, and fasting were the three major expressions of piety the Jews performed in Jesus’ time. The leaders took these matters quite seriously and were meticulous to practice them publicly so as to impress others with their piety (cf. Matt. 6:2, 5, 16). Thus these practices became badges of pride and hypocrisy rather than marks of humble and genuine religion before God.
Jesus’ point in mentioning the bridegroom and his attendants is to show how out of place it is for His followers (attendants) to mourn and fast while He (the Bridegroom) is with them in person. Pharisaical manners and rituals are always wrong for Christians, but even good practices (such as sincere fasting), if not done properly, can hinder what the Lord wants to accomplish in our midst.
Ask Yourself
Should our answer to this kind of hypocrisy be the removal of all forms, disciplines, and ritual practices from our worship? Or is there value in these kinds of expressions?
What would go missing from our worship if it was all spur-of-the-moment, with no cherished repetitions?
Studying God’s Word ping
A sound article on praying to saints:
Should we pray to or speak to the dead?
https://www.compellingtruth.org/pray-to-dead.html
Here’s another article on lighting candles for the dead.
Is it biblical to light candles for the dead?
https://www.gotquestions.org/light-candles-dead.html
“Some practices, such as praying to saints or lighting candles for the dead, are heretical.”
Thank you for your honest studies - some here would call you a heretic for pointing out common heresies.
I need to start taking more time thinking of God’s goodness as I say Grace - your post made me realize I have become like a parrot rather than a thinking worshipper in that area.
It’s easy to do.
I think after enough time, taking things for granted happens to everyone. Seems to be part of human nature.
“Should we pray to or speak to the dead?”
“Is it biblical to light candles for the dead”
It’s weird that anyone would think either is OK when #1 is specifically prohibited in Scripture, and #2 is an idea made up by humans to generate revenue.
Paul, the great apostle/teacher of grace and faith maintained certain rituals, while preaching the gospel. In Acts 18:18, it is mentioned that Paul had his head shaved at Cenchrea because he had taken a vow.
There may be ulterior (Godly) motives to a Christian's behavior and his rituals. " I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means [in any and every way] save some by leading them to faith in Jesus Christ." - 1 Cor 9:22
Indeed, but it was voluntary, not forced on him by a *church* as part of religious requirements allegedly for holy living or gaining favor from God.
Just read Hebrews 10 last night, first half , the old covenant, summarized:3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.
4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
Second half the chapter, summarized v 12:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
sorry, that is 10:12
10-4
;)
I started fasting for spiritual reasons several years ago. I soon realized that I was losing weight (and I really needed to lose weight).
Pretty soon, my focus shifted from fasting for a closer relationship to God to fasting for weight loss.
It’s difficult to keep the focus on Him in my fasting.
The old saying of *Familiarity breeds contempt* holds true on ALL levels of our lives.
We need constant vigilance to avoid that.
To stir the pot, what about the ritual of tithing?
Yup.
That too.
“The NT does not teach tithing, but offerings as each person is moved to give.
Seems like a lot of churches get pretty legalistic about it.
Not so fast.
https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/the-bible-supports-praying-to-the-saints
Let’s see if anyone actually reads this or just girls the usual insults.
Weird.
Obligatory self-righteous “checking the boxes” accomplishes nothing, unless you work in a points-based system.
I am becoming fully aware, though I likely still have a long way to go, just how incapable I am of doing ONE. SINGLE. THING. that could possibly offset the amount of sin I’ve committed in my life.
Since all creation is under the corruption of sin, even my very best, purest efforts, which are more likely to happen by accident than not, are tainted with sin and could not influence God in the least to save me, if I appealed to them.
The ONLY thing possible is the righteousness of Christ credited to my account be God Himself. My appeal is pointing to Jesus, saying He did it.
Weird is breaking away and forming your own Christianity based on what you think.
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