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The sinful nature seeks to take God’s laws and replace them with our own, making ourselves the masters of what is right and wrong.

BibleGateway: Mark 7:1-13

ESV Text: Mark 7:1-13


KJV Text:

The section starts at about 0:0 and ends at about 1:57

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     1 Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. 2 And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. 3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. 4 And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brazen vessels, and of tables. 5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? 6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8 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. 9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. 10 For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: 11 But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. 12 And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; 13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.(KJV)


Hymn: TLH 295 :
The Law of God is Good and Wise

Hymnary.org — Organ Audio

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1. The Law of God is good and wise 
And sets His will before our eyes, 
Shows us the way of righteousness, 
And dooms to death when we transgress. 

2. Its light of holiness imparts 
The knowledge of our sinful hearts 
That we may see our lost estate 
And seek deliverance ere too late. 

3. To those who help in Christ have found 
And would in works of love abound 
It shows what deeds are His delight 
And should be done as food and right. 

4. When men the offered help disdain 
And wilfully in sin remain, 
Its terror in their ear resounds 
And keeps their wickedness in bounds. 

5. The Law is good; but since the Fall 
Its holiness condemns us all; 
It dooms us for our sin to die 
And has no power to justify. 

6. To Jesus we for refuge flee, 
Who from the curse has set us free, 
And humbly worship at His throne, 
Saved by His grace through faith alone.