"What does the Bible say about legalism? How can a Christian avoid falling into the trap of legalism?"
The word “legalism” does not occur in the Bible. It is a term Christians
use to describe a doctrinal position emphasizing a system of rules and
regulations for achieving both salvation and spiritual growth. Legalists
believe in and demand a strict literal adherence to rules and
regulations. Doctrinally, it is a position essentially opposed to grace.
Those who hold a legalistic position often fail to see the real purpose
for law, especially the purpose of the Old Testament law of Moses,
which is to be our “schoolmaster” or “tutor” to bring us to Christ
(Galatians 3:24).
Even true believers can be legalistic. We are instructed, rather, to be
gracious to one another: “Accept him whose faith is weak, without
passing judgment on disputable matters” (Romans 14:1). Sadly, there are
those who feel so strongly about non-essential doctrines that they will
run others out of their fellowship, not even allowing the expression of
another viewpoint. That, too, is legalism. Many legalistic believers
today make the error of demanding unqualified adherence to their own
biblical interpretations and even to their own traditions. For example,
there are those who feel that to be spiritual one must simply avoid
tobacco, alcoholic beverages, dancing, movies, etc. The truth is that
avoiding these things is no guarantee of spirituality.
The apostle Paul warns us of legalism in Colossians 2:20-23: “Since you
died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though
you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: ‘Do not handle! Do
not taste! Do not touch!’? These are all destined to perish with use,
because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations
indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship,
their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they
lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.” Legalists may appear
to be righteous and spiritual, but legalism ultimately fails to
accomplish God’s purposes because it is an outward performance instead
of an inward change.
To avoid falling into the trap of legalism, we can start by holding fast
to the words of the apostle John, “For the law was given through Moses;
grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17) and remembering
to be gracious, especially to our brothers and sisters in Christ. “Who
are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or
falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand”
(Romans 14:4). “You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you
look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment
seat” (Romans 14:10).
A word of caution is necessary here. While we need to be gracious to one
another and tolerant of disagreement over disputable matters, we cannot
accept heresy. We are exhorted to contend for the faith that was once
for all entrusted to the saints (Jude 3). If we remember these
guidelines and apply them in love and mercy, we will be safe from both
legalism and heresy. “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but
test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false
prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). Jesus loves you
