Christians Holding Onto Human Traditions

Hello, Brothers, Sisters, and Heartdwellers family.

I was doing my Lord’s supper, and my first reading was Deuteronomy where Moses speaks of the commands, “You shall not add to what I command you keep the commands of the Lord. The second reading was from James, Be doers of the word, not hearers. The gospel reading was from Mark 7:1-8,14-15,21-23,

The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus 2 and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. 3 (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. 4 When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.)

5 So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?”

6 He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:

“‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

7 They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’]

8 You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”

14 Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. 15 Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.

21 For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”

As I pondered over these readings, I thought, ‘Lord, are they about me?’ But they didn’t resonate. Yes, it’s talking about religious traditions, but the first thing that came to my mind was what Jesus said about human traditions and it tied to my family and Africans [who] have to the traditions of the culture. There are so many traditions, (since I have been here) that so many Christians are tied to that are not of God, that are against His commandments, and are abominations. But they do it all for the sake of tradition. Over and over again, that’s the excuse I hear, ‘Oh, it’s just tradition, oh, it’s just tradition.’ I saw myself preaching with fire concerning it and calling all Christians to take a stand, that they cannot sever two masters. Too many go to church, serve at the church call themselves Christians but participate in all manner of rituals for the “sake of traditions”. And that is the same as the human traditions Jesus is talking about.

Then I thought, this is not just in African culture but in Latin culture, Asian culture, Indian culture, and Native American culture. You have so many saying they are Christians but the elders—the elders of your family still are very much involved and participating in things that are demonic, for the sake of tradition. So, I came before the Lord saying, ‘Jesus, what’s on your heart’?

Jesus began,

“Sing to Me a new song, Beloved, sing to Me. It brings me great consolation and delight to hear you sing My praises. I would love for us to have a date night tonight. Would you be free to give me that time after your prayer meeting? I will be waiting for you”

Oh yes of course Lord I will look forward to it. Please give me the grace to not fall asleep [smile].

“I am in a celebratory mood, My beloved. Do you know why? “

No, Lord.

“Because My brides are responding all over my body. My brides are responding, turning their heart’s affection back to me. You are one, and this week will be one of great intimacy between us because you will have more time and less distractions. I will give you the strength for all of it, Beloved”

Thank You, Lord.

Jesus continued

“The words burning in your heart during the Lord’s supper readings were from My Spirit. “You will be very much like Jeremiah. My words will be like fire, shot in your bone that you will have to get out and talk with the masses to leave the traditions of man, to serve Me alone. Especially in African and Asian countries. My beloved children have been swayed by the demons of their forefathers to worship their culture, worship tradition, and still be okay worshipping Me. But it cannot be so. One cannot serve two masters.

“You see, I am still refining you, pressing you to obtain the sweetest wine, the sweetest clusters of grapes that will yield a great anointing. You and many of My brides are being prepared for all that I have in store for you and all that you will do. You will preach to nations, congregations, and in foreign lands—and they will listen. The fruit in your life will be a testimony to your family and relatives that you walk with God. Because they will see what I do they too will listen.

“The time is not now but soon approaching. Not just for you, but many of My brides. So, continue to endure under My loving blows and refining fires, My beloved brides, you are looking more and more beautiful after each test and trial as you go from glory to glory.

“I would also like all My brides to please have a date night with Me. I long for you, I wait for you. Get dressed up, set an intimate playlist aside, a few candles if you have some, and come and soak in My presence I will be there dressed for the occasion waiting to hold you, comfort you, encourage you, dance with you, and hear you sing to Me. That is all for now beloved go My little lioness, great will be many like yourselves who will preach the undiluted gospel and bring many souls to Me”

That was the end of Jesus’ message.