Quotes about Legalism

Legalism is a subtle danger because no one thinks of himself as a legalist. My own rules seem necessary; other people's rules seem excessively strict.

Many charismatics do not know the difference between legalism and self-discipline.

fanatics. Every teacher of work-righteousness is a trouble-maker.

We insist that God must surely lead everyone as we believe He has led us. We refuse to allow God the freedom to deal with each of us as individuals. When we think like that, we are legalistic.

Too often, however, we "honor" God by creating our own law, making ourselves more pious than Him. God says, "Don't eat," and we say, "Don't touch." God says, "Give ten percent," and we say, "Give twenty percent." Like the Pharisees before us, we add to God's law, then expect Him to pat us on the back. This problem of seeking a piety greater than God's, however, gets no uglier than when we apply it to ourselves.

Legalism always breeds compliance over purpose.

Legalistic remorse says, "I broke God's rules," while real repentance says, "I broke God's heart."

Legalism is looking to something besides Jesus Christ in order to be acceptable and clean before God.

When the law is separated from Christ, nothing is left but empty forms.

So the call to discipleship is a commitment solely to the person of Jesus Christ, a breaking through of all legalisms by the grace of him who calls.

The one who is physically uncircumcised yet keeps the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.

Whenever religion becomes a depressing affair of burdens and prohibitions, it ceases to be true religion.