5 Day Devotional for 7/29/24

Written By sam tunnell

This five day devotional will be taking a deeper dive into the sermon from this weekend. We'll explore the themes of legalism, traditions, and how to root our faith in the Word of God.

 

Day 1

Matthew 15:1-2

As we dive into this devotional, we start by reflecting on the challenge Jesus faced with the Pharisees and scribes. They questioned why His disciples broke the tradition of the elders by not washing their hands before eating. This isn’t about hygiene; it’s about the heart’s posture towards God’s commandments versus human traditions.

Jesus’ response brings to light the importance of prioritizing God’s Word over human traditions. Legalism can easily creep into our hearts if we’re not careful. We need to continually assess whether our actions are grounded in the Word of God or merely following man-made customs. Today, reflect on how Jesus challenges us to have a heart fully devoted to Him, one that submits to the Word and not to human traditions.

  • Reflect on a tradition you follow. Is it based on the Word of God or human custom?

  • How can you identify areas in your life where legalism might be taking over?

  • What steps can you take to ensure your faith practices are rooted in Scripture?

  • Pray for discernment to distinguish between God’s commandments and human traditions.

  • Ask God to soften your heart and make it receptive to His Word above all else.

Day 2

Mark 7:8

On our second day, we turn our focus to Jesus’ stern warning about abandoning the commandments of God to hold on to human traditions. He points out the hypocrisy of the Pharisees who were more concerned with rule-following than with the heart’s true devotion to God.

This is a call for us to examine our own lives. Are we more worried about how others perceive our spirituality, or are we genuinely seeking to honor God with our actions? Traditions have their place, but they should never overshadow the core message of the Gospel. Let us strive to keep our hearts aligned with God’s commandments, and not be bound by empty rituals.

  • Consider a time when you prioritized tradition over a personal relationship with God. How did that affect your faith?

  • What does it mean to worship God in spirit and truth?

  • How can you cultivate a heart that seeks to honor God above all else?

  • Pray for a heart that truly seeks to honor and worship God.

  • Ask for forgiveness for the times you've placed tradition above your relationship with God.

Day 3

Isaiah 29:13

Today’s scripture is a powerful reminder about the danger of honoring God with our lips while our hearts are far from Him. Jesus quoted this prophecy to expose the spiritual emptiness of those who elevate traditions above genuine faith.

It's easy to fall into the trap of paying lip service to God while neglecting a true, heartfelt relationship with Him. Our traditions should be expressions of our faith, not substitutes for it. Reflect on the ways you may be going through the motions and ask God to draw your heart closer to Him.

  • In what areas of your life are you merely paying lip service to God?

  • How can you make your worship and service to God more genuine and heartfelt?

  • What steps can you take to ensure your actions are a true reflection of your faith?

  • Pray for a deeper, more authentic relationship with God.

  • Seek God’s guidance to remove any areas of hypocrisy in your life.

Day 4

Matthew 15:3-6

Jesus’ confrontation with the Pharisees highlights the conflict between God's commandments and man-made traditions. He criticized them for allowing tradition to nullify God’s commands, such as honoring one’s parents, thus exposing their folly and hypocrisy.

This passage challenges us to scrutinize our own lives and practices. Are there areas where our traditions or personal preferences are leading us to overlook the clear teachings of Scripture? Let’s commit to aligning our lives more closely with God’s Word and letting go of any traditions that draw us away from true obedience.

  • Reflect on traditions you hold that may conflict with the teachings of Scripture.

  • How can you ensure that God’s Word takes precedence in your life?

  • What steps can you take today to align your actions more closely with God’s commandments?

  • Pray for God’s help in identifying and removing any traditions that conflict with His Word.

  • Ask for strength and guidance to live a life rooted in Scripture.

Day 5

James 1:22

As we conclude this devotional, we focus on the call to be doers of the Word and not hearers only. It's not enough to simply know the Word of God; we must put it into practice in our everyday lives.

This passage encourages us to examine the integrity of our faith. Are we living out what we profess to believe, or are we content with superficial knowledge? Genuine faith requires action. Let this challenge inspire us to live out our beliefs through love, service, and faithful obedience to God’s commands.

  • Consider areas in your life where you know the Word but struggle to put it into practice. What are they?

  • What practical steps can you take to live out your faith more fully?

  • How can you hold yourself accountable to being a doer of the Word?

  • Pray for the courage and determination to live out God’s Word in your daily life.

  • Ask for God’s assistance in aligning your actions with your beliefs.

sam tunnell

I’m a guy who eats too many cheetos

Previous

Over Our Heads, But Not Alone
Next

5 Day Devotional for 7/14/25