Christians are caught up in all kinds of legalism in their lives. Here is an account of one such incident that a patient of mine recounted. She was very particular that her children, 2 teenage sons, read the Bible and pray before they had dinner every evening. The sons were not so much in favor of this, but to please their mother they nevertheless did it. One evening the younger son was hungry and pleaded with his mother that he eat before the evening family prayer. The mother forbid him from doing so, telling him that, that would be a dishonor to God and that she would not serve him food. The little talk snowballed into an argument with neither willing to give up. Finally the boy ran to the kitchen and filled his plate with the food prepared for dinner. The mother, seeing this ran after him and snatched the plate from his hands and spat into it. On seeing this, the boy started weeping uncontrollably and receded to a corner and did not pray or eat that evening; neither did he talk to his mother for several days.

This mother, as she told me this story of hers was guilt ridden regarding the whole thing. A day after the incident, as she was resting in her room, lightning struck her house and a whole lot of valuable items were destroyed. This made her think and she finally came to a conclusion that it was because of her insensitivity to her boy that God had punished her.

Whether this was God’s way of dealing with the problem is not the question here, but the legalism in the attitude of the mother.

It’s good to give our best time to the Lord, but would God be angry if we prayed after dinner?

The Bible says,

“You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.” (Galatians 5:4)

“But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.” (Galatians 5:1

“We know that the law is good if one uses it properly.” (1 Timothy 1:8)

“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” (James 2:12, 13)

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Legalism destroys our own peace and we bring misery to others too. So let’s abide by the advice given by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ - “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” (Matthew 12:7)

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”(Matthew 5:7)