# 431 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 7:2,3 “Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders.
Perhaps you've seen television shows of doctors preparing for surgery. They wash their hands in a special way, all the way up to their elbows. This was similar to the “special way” the Jews had prescribed for washing their hands before a meal.
It was an attempt to remain undefiled in keeping with Mosaic Law. These laws about washing, and laws about Sabbath keeping seem silly to us, but there was a very good reason they were in effect. The Jews used them as a security fence around the real Law of God. (Let's not just wash our hands, let's wash up to our elbows!)
The logic seemed to be, if these silly laws were followed, then there would be no way that the real Law of God could be violated. They were meant to be safeguards, and safeguards can be a good thing.
For instance, it is wise to not expose yourself to the sexually explicit materials and foul language found in today's movies. They can harden the heart and make the unacceptable appear acceptable, leading to serious violations of God's Law. God has given us His Word and the Holy Spirit. Listen to them! They are the only movie guide you'll ever need.
But be careful, to elevate prohibition against all movies to an equal status with God's Law puts us in the hand washing camp of the Pharisees.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
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