The Weakness of Legalism

The Pharisees in the days of Jesus were heavily immersed in their Oral Law, which was also referred to as the "Tradition of the Pharisees." Jesus hated those Traditions, so much so, that the writers of the four Gospels allotted a great amount of space dealing with this subject.

Unfortunately, the Legalism of today has a number of similarities with the Legalism that was embraced by the Pharisees of old. Beginning with some Scripture found in the Bible, Legalists begin twisting it, and expanding on it, until they finally arrive at a rule, or "standard" that they feel is suitable enough to impose upon their constituents.